KARACHI, Oct 10: Sharea Pakistan, which cuts across NA-246 and NA-247, wore a deserted look on Thursday, as the general elections got under way in the city, but drew what was at best a lukewarm response from more than half a million registered voters in these constituencies.

NA-246 comprises the localities which make up Gulberg Town and NA-247 consists of the areas which constitute Liaquatabad Town.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which previously ruled the roost in these areas, failed to ensure that its supporters exercised their right of franchise.

Most presiding officers at various polling stations in NA-246 and NA-247 — which cover PS-104, PS-105, PS-106 and PS-107 — told Dawn that they had received fewer stationery items this time round. “Maybe the authorities had foreseen that the turnout would be low. All the same, we should have been given the required amount of stationery to enable us to discharge our duties with peace of mind.”

In some polling booths, the indelible ink was in short supply. In others, rulers were not present and assistant polling officers made do with cardboard to tear the counterfoil of the voting books.

The localities which constitute NA-246 and NA-247 — where at least three political and two religious parties are in the electoral fray — are awash with flags of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. The People’s Party kept such a low profile in these constituencies that in some polling stations, such as the one in Ibrahim Ali Bhai School in Nazimabad No 2, there was no PPP polling agent.

In some areas of NA-247, particularly Nazimabad No 2 and Mujahid Colony, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal seemed to be going strong, leaning on the Pushto-speaking Pakhtoons and cashing in on widespread anti-US sentiment following the Sept 11 events.

Political observers point out that following the US strikes against the Taliban in Afghanistan, a large number of people never forgave the government for helping the US in its “war against terrorism.” The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal found favour with these dissidents.

They, however, point out that the MMA would be hampered by the fact that their voters did not approve of their womenfolk casting votes. At a polling station in Sir Syed Girls College, which is situated in Nazimabad No 1, at around noon, while 200 men had cast their votes, only 10 women had exercised their right of franchise.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, however, remained strong in Moosa Colony, which falls under NA-246.

This thickly populated locality comprises of mostly Bengali-speaking people, who have always sided themselves with the party. The Sunni Tehrik, too, was not without sympathizers in NA-246 — particularly at the Govt College of Commercial Education polling station in Azizabad — where a large number of members from the Memon community have a soft corner for the party.

At a polling station in Federal B Area, Block 13, a voter, Tariq Haider, told Dawn that while he was casting his vote, most members of his family were planning to go on a picnic today.