Women spearhead Pindi poll drive

Political parties begin election campaigns with subdued enthusiasm

RAWALPINDI:

In the run-up to the general elections for the seven national and 14 provincial assembly seats in the Rawalpindi district, slated for February 8, political candidates are actively enlisting the support of women workers and educated females for door-to-door campaigning.

These women workers, compensated between Rs1500 to Rs2500 per day, primarily hailing from Pashtun, Kashmiri, Punjabi and Potohari hill communities are being prioritised to effectively convey party manifestos and seek votes from potential voters.

This strategic selection is rooted in the substantial population of Pashtun, Kashmiri, Potohari, and Punjabi families in Rawalpindi constituencies, ensuring seamless communication in their respective languages. In a bid to bolster these efforts, political parties are establishing dedicated election offices for women workers, offering amenities such as food, tea, and green tea.

It is worth noting that female teachers are the preferred choice for all the candidates, and unemployed women and youths are being engaged for a month in connection with the electoral activities. The recruitment drive is unfolding at the grassroots level, with each union council witnessing the enlistment of 10 to 15 women.

Read: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452993/political-parties-get-e-commerce-savvy-ahead-of-elections-1

Moreover, a decision has been made to hire 200 to 250 women in each constituency. These women will undergo training to serve as female polling agents on the polling day, receiving a separate compensation of Rs3,300 for this specific duty. Their responsibilities encompass distributing party manifestos and vote slips door-to-door, contributing to a comprehensive outreach strategy.

Subdued tone

Meanwhile, the election campaign has commenced in the Rawalpindi district with a subdued tone with candidates initiating the setup of their election offices. The political landscape is transforming with the emergence of Panaflex and election banners on rickshaws, cars, marketplaces and significant thoroughfares.

Candidates from all parties are actively participating in local events, including weddings and funerals, across the district. With the receipt of the polling scheme, candidates are engaged in the meticulous task of re-evaluating their constituencies, considering new additions, divisions and changes in voter lists.

This process has led to the restructuring of several constituencies, causing frustration among the candidates. Further, the inclusion of additional areas and voters has heightened anxiety among them.

Surge in workload

On the other hand, the surge in workload and rush hour has put pressure on printing presses responsible for producing election posters, banners, and stickers. These printing presses have responded by increasing their rates by up to 30 per cent.

Candidates have placed thousands of production orders for Panaflex and stickers of various sizes, resulting in substantial profits for Panaflex producers across the city. Despite the fervour, no political party has yet made a prominent display of strength throughout the entire city.

Candidates are navigating crowded markets and encountering significant challenges in the early stages of the polling campaign. The political atmosphere is gaining momentum with the return of prominent figures from the election tribunals.

Talking to The Express Tribune, locals said they were anticipating an increase in election-related activities over the next two to three days.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2024.