Symbol allotments set stage for Daska electoral showdown
PHOTO: FILE
The finalisation of the submission, withdrawal of nomination papers, and the allocation of election symbols have marked the culmination of preparatory activities for the upcoming elections in Tehsil Daska, mirroring the processes across the country.
NA 75, once infamous for its foggy backdrop in the last by-election in Daska, has transitioned into NA 73.
In the 2018 elections, the Pakistan Muslim League-N's candidate, Syed Iftikhul Hassan, popularly known as Zahray Shah, emerged victorious against Ali Asjad Malhi and independent candidate Usman Khalid of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), securing a win for PML-N.
The demise of Syed Iftikharul Hasan Shah led to by-elections in 2021, where Syeda Nausheen Iftikhar, daughter of Iftikharul Hassan Shah, participated. However, the PTI government, at the time, faced challenges, with the staff of 22 polling stations allegedly kidnapped "due to fog".
Subsequently, Nausheen Iftikhar sought legal intervention, leading to a court-ordered re-election.
Read Candidates to get election symbols today
Syeda Nausheen Iftikhar clinched victory for the first time in this re-election, amassing 110,075 votes, while Ali Asjad Malhi secured the second position with 93,433 votes.
In the 2018 elections, from the two provincial constituencies PP50 (formerly PP41) of the same constituency, PML-Q candidate Bao Rizwan defeated PML-N candidate (son of Syed Iftikharul Hassan) Syed Attaul Hassan Shah, and Haji Amanullah of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
In PP 51 (Former PP 42) of Daska city Constituency, Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Mian Zeeshan Rafique defeated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf candidate, former MPA Chaudhry Sadaqat Ali, PPP's Malik Hasan Parvez, and independent candidate Ziaullah Khara.
As the stage is set for the 2024 elections, symbols have been allotted to candidates from Constituency NA 73, PP 50, and PP 51 Daska. From Constituency NA 73 Daska Syeda Nausheen Iftikhar (PML-N) is contesting polls with the symbol of lion. Ali Asjad Malhi (PTI Independent) has been allotted the symbol of spoon (later changed to a well).
In PP 51 Daska, Muhammad Zeeshan Rafique (PML-N) will be contesting elections with the symbol of lion. PPP’s candidate Imran Khan has been allowed to contest polls with his party symbol ie arrow.
Read Polls to hit snag if ‘symbols keep changing’
In PP 50 Daska, Chaudhry Naveed Ashraf is the candidate for PML-N. Rana Farooq Ashraf is PPP’s candidate while Shehbaz Mughal is the candidate of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.
A total of eight candidates from Constituency NA 73, seven from Constituency PP 50, and nine from Constituency PP 51 Daska have withdrawn their nomination papers.
This time, candidates from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf were unable to secure the bat symbol, with all candidates participating in the election as independents. The electoral arena is now poised for a dynamic and competitive contest in 2024.
In constituency NA 73, a total of 534,798 voters will cast their votes, while in constituency PP 50, there are 256,938 voters, and in PP 51, there are 277,860 voters exercising their right to vote.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2024.