This is very much a pun at the jeep symbol that the independent candidates will be riding on (another pun) for the elections later this month.

According to the Election Commission's incomplete 'final list' of candidates released yesterday:

In Punjab’s 120 constituencies alone, as many as 66 independent candidates will be contesting polls on the symbol of ‘jeep’. Overall, 119 candidates have been allotted the symbol throughout the country.

While this makes the independents important players in the elections, perhaps the most surprising figure comes from the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.

The religious outfit, led by the ever-eloquent Khadim Hussain Rizvi, has fielded over 150 candidates for the national assembly across the country. In fact, the TLP is the only party which has fielded over 100 candidates in Punjab’s 117 constituencies.

These are indeed big numbers from a party that came to the fore only recently.

For a detailed report on all the parties, go here.