Electioneering remains lacklustre

The Rawalpindi district seems lacking traditional electoral campaigns this time as the so far efforts put in place by the candidates to charge their workers proved to be dull, even though there are just 13 days left for the Feb 8 polls.

Election offices of political parties have not been opened in the streets and neighbourhood to date. However, flags inscribed with political slogans could be seen springing up on roadsides. Except for some coroner meetings, large-scale traditional election rallies have not yet been hosted in the city by any major political party. Even flags of political parties are not being displayed on vehicles or motorbikes by voters.

Similarly, at least two million residential and commercial properties even lack displays of flags. Hardly 50 to 100 activists, who are paid, are present in a coroner meeting of any party and they usually join the gatherings 10 to 15 minutes before the arrival of the candidates. Small corner meetings also lack public enthusiasm. Two or three dedicated workers raise political party slogans. One major party is utilising social media to promote its campaign and its candidates are canvassing house to house and shop to shop.

Read Dynamics of campaigning change

It is the first time that the candidates in Rawalpindi district have lodged cases against their opponents for disrupting corner meetings. Drivers of rickshaws, taxis, and wagons are declining to place the panaflexes of candidates on their vehicles this time despite receiving monetary offers.

The extreme weather and fog have severely impacted the election campaigns of candidates. Interestingly, a new trend of placing and removing banners and posters from government vehicles daily has caught people’s attention.

Candidates of all parties seem nervous about the polling day with some predicting low turnout, while others expecting all-time high turnout.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2024.