August 10, 2008	Sunday	Sha’aban 7, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Aug 9: All is set for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to reclaim the provincial assembly seat (PP-10) when the electorate of this important constituency of Rawalpindi goes to the polls on Tuesday morning. The election campaign came to close here this evening.

There are 11 candidates vying for the seat vacated by MNA Malik Abrar Ahmed after the February 18 elections and PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif won it unopposed in the June 26 by-polls since all other contestants had also pulled out from the run. Shahbaz Sharif, however, opted out of this seat as he had already taken oath as Punjab chief minister after winning a Bhakkar seat in the by-elections.

Though the real contest is expected between Malik Iftikhar Ahmed, brother of MNA Abrar, and an independent candidate Malik Mahboob Illahi who is also backed by area leaders of Pakistan Muslim League, the chances of PML-N candidate are far higher than that of the independent candidate. It was in February elections that Malik Abrar had won the seat securing 35,532 votes and defeated Chaudhry Masood Akhtar of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Raja Faisal Iqbal of PML.

Both candidates claim having won over area biradaries and influential families to their side but Malik Iftikhar has the upper hand, as the PPP has not fielded its candidate for this seat. PML figures who had supported Malik Mahboob in the general elections will hardly figure now after their humiliating defeat in February 18 elections.

Meanwhile the Election Commission of Pakistan has finalised all for the polling in the constituency comprising Rawalpindi Cantonment starting from Golra More in the west to Tench Bhata in the east and from Westridge in the north to Dhamial Aviation Base in the south.

The EC has set up 109 polling stations with a total of 1,52,607 registered voters -- 80,398 male and 72,209 female. About 38 per cent voters had used their right in the February elections.

Law enforcement agencies have declared 14 polling stations as sensitive and made arrangements to keep law and order situation under control. The city police have also made arrangements to counter any sabotage or terrorism activity during the elections through extra deployment of police and intensive patrolling.