LAHORE, Feb 18: An 83-year-old man joined his 19-year-old granddaughter in voting for the first time in Pakistan’s general election here on Monday, describing the experience as “highly gratifying”.

But though the two felt proud to exercise their civic duties, their politics are polar opposites: he for the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), and she for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), in NA-124.

The man, a company director who asked not to be named, told Dawn the last time he cast his vote was in 1946, as a 21-year-old living in Bombay before partition. At that time, he voted for the Indian National Congress.

“Till now, nobody seemed deserving of my vote — they all seemed as bad and as corrupt as each other. But this time I felt I should support my candidate and vote for stability.”

He said he also enjoyed getting out of the house to take part in a joint activity with his granddaughter, viewing it as a chance to bond with her and inculcate civic values.

“It was about time I voted again, and it’s fine that we don’t agree on everything. It’s more about the process.”

His granddaughter, a law student at a local college, said she too enjoyed the process, though she didn’t quite agree with her grandfather’s choice.

“As a Christian woman, I feel very strongly about supporting a party which supports the rights of everyone. It’s a true Pakistani party, rather than a Muslim party.” She, however, added she was proud to partake in her first vote. “I’m very happy. It was all over in four minutes, and very efficient. Let’s just see how the results turn out now.”

On being part of the democratic process, she noted: “Those people, and especially those young people who don’t vote shouldn’t complain - you can’t criticise something then the moment you get to be a part of the process, shy away of it. This election has given us a chance to express our discontent with the government, and take charge of the situation,” adding that most of her law school classmates also voted.

She said her family would now be closely following results throughout the night, but jokingly ruled out the possibility of any dinner table arguments. —Issam Ahmed