Get-out-the-vote: Winning voters’ hearts through their stomachs

LG candidates in DI Khan resort to giveaways, elaborate dinners

DI KHAN: Candidates in DI Khan have resorted to a series of tempting tactics to secure their win in the local government elections scheduled for May 30.

As electioneering gathers momentum in the region, many aspirants feel the need to go the extra mile and offer something to prospective voters on the spot. A large number of candidates have provided costly ‘giveaways’ to persuade people to vote for them.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune that candidates have offered to install electricity transformers in their constituencies to help residents withstand the prolonged power outages in summer. Be it an attempt to earn their trust or an expression of gratitude, the practice has become part and parcel of the campaigning process.

A foodie reaction

Election hopefuls are also expected to hold large public gatherings. These are mostly catered events which have generated a considerable amount of business for those who are in the business of food in the region.

“Our business is doing well,” said Yaqoob Shah, who owns a shop in Cantt Market in DI Khan. “We are now offering our services in remote villages on the demand of election candidates.”

According to Shah, candidates contesting village council seats order soft drinks and samosas while those who are running from urban areas demand “special dishes” for the gatherings.

“If anyone organises an event for a candidate, the latter usually pays the host in advance,” he added.

Shah said the practice of holding elaborate dinners to “guarantee victory” in the polls will only benefit caterers and other members of the hospitality sector. “Reham Khan is likely to visit DI Khan before the elections for a gathering,” he said. “Rather than being concerned about the LG polls, people are more concerned about what will be served at the event.”

Question mark

Residents have also voiced reservations about whether such activities will eventually lead to the transfer of power to the grass-roots level.

Aslam Khan, a resident of Mohalla Green Town, who recently attended a public gathering told The Express Tribune locals have prepared a list of matters which must be addressed.

“We will only vote for those who will improve infrastructure in our area and prevent an electricity crisis,” he said. “Most candidates are only concerned about getting votes rather than tackling issues.”

According to Hamza Mehsud, a local journalist, LG candidates are not concerned about individual votes.

“The candidates will only consider you an asset if you belong to a large group of people,” he said. “They don’t realise we have a series of challenges to deal with. At this stage, a large number of rickshaw drivers in DI Khan are unemployed because they have not been provided rickshaws.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2015.