ISLAMABAD: The PPP may benefit from the decision to postpone the election in NA-60, where voter turnout is likely to be low even for the provincial assembly elections in PP-17, PP-11 and PP-16.

Constituents are disappointed that the election was postponed because of the disqualification of PML-N candidate Hanif Abbasi after he was convicted in the ephedrine case.

There are more than 350,000 registered voters in NA-60.

Low turnout expected in constituency for provincial assembly polls today

Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who is a candidate in NA-60, unsuccessfully challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone the election before the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court. He is reportedly disappointed because the by-election would not be favourable to him.

A source of concern for the PPP candidate Mukhtar Abbas is that the by-election will be held under new federal and provincial governments, which could influence the polls.

Interviews with voters have revealed that Abbasi was leading the race in NA-60, and his removal from the race has left Mr Abbas in a stronger position. His winning the by-election could mean a revival of the PPP in Rawalpindi city, where the party has not been able to win a National Assembly seat for 33 years.

Sources close to Sheikh Rashid said one of the AML leader’s concerns is that he is also contesting his home constituency NA-62. If he wins there, he will not be able to run in NA-60, but if he loses it will be harder for him to win in NA-60.

In interviews, locals and party insiders said voters from many parties were supporting Mr Abbas in NA-60, even while backing leaders of their own parties in provincial constituencies.

“We quite disappointed that we have been deprived of our right to vote, as this is the first time an election on a National Assembly seat was postponed due to the disqualification of any candidate,” Mohammad Fazal, a government employee in NA-60, said.

He said he, his friends and relatives had decided not to vote in the provincial assembly elections due to the postponement of the elections in NA-60.

PTI’s candidate for a provincial assembly seat, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, is not backing Sheikh Rashid for a National Assembly seat for personal reasons.

PTI supporter Raees Khan said: “Although Sheikh Rashid has an alliance with PTI, we are not considering him for the National Assembly seat.”

Mr Abbas claimed he enjoyed the support of most of the constituency’s voters but said he too was disappointed by the postponing of the elections.

He predicted low voter turnout on election day in his constituency. “In fact, the people of the constituency have lost interest,” he said.

He also said provincial assembly candidates whose seats fall in NA-60 have assured him of their support.

Mr Abbas feared that fingers could be raised on the results of the NA-60 by-election because it would be conducted under a new government.

“The new government will definitely provide an atmosphere conducive to its party candidate in the by-election,” he said.

The PPP candidate also questioned whether the ECP could have held the election for the NA-60 seat and printed the required more than 350,000 ballot papers for the PML-N’s covering candidate within four days.

“ECP had enough time to have ballot papers for the new PML-N candidate printed,” he added.

Meanwhile Sheikh Rashid has called the day of the postponement of the election in NA-60 a ‘black day’ in Pakistan’s history.

Calling the discretionary use of powers by the ECP unconstitutional, he said the commission had misused the Elections Act and elections could only be postponed in the event of a candidate’s death.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2018