Dynamics of campaigning change

In a departure from traditional electioneering practices, the political landscape for the upcoming elections is witnessing a notable evolution in Multan and its suburbs. The key changes include a reduction in the prevalence of corner meetings, the absence of small campaign offices at the street level and a deviation from the customary door-to-door canvassing.

Political parties and independent candidates are strategically targeting influential figures at the union council level. The candidates are garnering support from former UC chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors and elders of the tribes, said a senior political analyst, Mazhar Javed. Unlike the election campaigns in the past, the candidates were not found spending large amounts on political campaigns this time round, he said.

The candidates appeared to be moving away from campaigning at the grassroots level. Instead, they are focusing on alliance-building strategies.

Analyst Malik Arif pointed out that the current political climate was characterised by a low-level of enthusiasm among the political workers. Extreme weather conditions had also cast a shadow over election campaigning, dampening the traditional fervour associated with such events.

Read: Maryam makes subdued opening of election campaign

Another analyst, Malik Muhammad Tariq, said that the candidates had also been approaching the voters through social media. That way they found direct access to voters that was why a complete shift in the election campaign was being noticed, Tariq added. Moreover, a noticeable decline in the abundance of banners and panaflexes, which once adorned every street, was also being observed.

A shopkeeper, Hamid, who traditionally expected a surge in business during an election season, noted a contrast this time. Although candidates had been approaching him for small panaflexes, yet the number of orders was surprisingly small, he stated.

The price for these smaller campaign materials, such as a panaflex, stands at Rs150. In the past, there used to be big panaflexes, he said. Hamid, however, was optimistic about an uptick in orders in the days to come when campaigning gains momentum.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2024.