Candidates start unofficial campaigns

Most candidates were directed by their party leaders to start campaigning without formal approval of candidature.

KARACHI:

Candidates for the upcoming local bodies elections have started an unannounced campaign in their respective areas, fearing that the election commission’s schedule for the polls gives them inadequate time to conduct their campaigns, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Most candidates were directed by their parties’ leadership to start their campaign without waiting for formal approval of their candidature from the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Dost Muhammad, a Pakistan Peoples Party candidate for UC-2 of Pahar Gunj, North Nazimabad, reported that his party had completed their preparations for the campaigning already.  “We have started a door-to-door campaign and initiated small gatherings. Orders for printing banners and slogans have also been placed.”

An independent candidate from Lyari, Sardar Anwar Shah, said that he had just submitted his nomination papers but did not want to wait for approval before starting his campaign. “The new delimitation has further confused us and the timeframe does not permit us to sit in our homes,” he said.

Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz leader Irfanullah Marwat, confirming the unannounced political campaign, remarked that the upcoming elections were a ‘joke’.

On the other hand, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Nasir Jamal said that his party’s candidates have yet to start their campaign. “Our candidates are submitting their nomination papers, after which we will start campaigning.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th,2013.