Peshawar’s results pivot on youth factor

PTI leads from the front as opponents attempt to bounce back

PESHAWAR: The run up to the local government showdown in the provincial capital is looking more cut-throat by the hour. Following the 2013 general elections and cantonment board polls, many of the parties are still basking in the glory of victory while others lick their wounds, waiting for the right moment to bounce back.

A lot has changed in Peshawar over the years. The metropolitan has expanded and today comprises as many as 93 union councils.

With thousands of candidates vying for the city’s 2,606 general seats in village, neighbourhood and district councils and 4,290 reserved seats, it is more of a test of nerves and prestige for the province’s frontline political parties.

Too many contenders

Given the city’s evolving demographics and electoral trends, it is increasingly difficult to predict a winner. Individual stakes traditionally weigh more than party interests in LG electioneering and this is the plausible reason why hopefuls, who were refused party tickets, opted to contest as independents.

“It isn’t an out of the ordinary trend. Many PTI, Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party loyalists have either switched sides or filed papers as independent candidates in my village in Garha Tajik,” said Saifullah, talking to The Express Tribune. The local said too many hopefuls running for every berth may result in hung elections.

The youth factor

Despite the complexities, one thing can be said for certain – the LG election is a young person’s game.

While electioneering on the local level may not interest adults as much, it is an ideal opportunity for fresh blood to get a taste of politics at a micro level, Asghar Khan, a resident of Nothia, told The Express Tribune. When it comes to popularity amongst the youth, PTI arguably edges its rivals out. Asghar believes it is this factor which might do the trick for the party once more.



“You can see these youngsters, glowing with optimism, carrying party flags, chanting slogans in rallies all over the city,” he said. “The older lot is busy with its day to day activities.”  Noting the onset of summer, Asghar said, “The weather will certainly influence the voter turnout.” However, he argued, the heat would in all probability still not affect the passion of Imran Khan’s young supporters.

Kohat Road resident Tanveer Khan had a different take on the subject. He said it is not the youth but women whose participation will decide the fate of the polls. “They came out in huge numbers to vote for PTI in 2013. I am not sure if they still would,” he said.

Tanveer disregarded the youth factor for PTI and said other parties also have supporters in the younger lot. “PTI hasn’t really delivered much, unannounced load-shedding really haunts Peshawar’s citizens,” he said. “This time around, voters will take a more realistic and informed decision.”

There is a general impression that almost all political parties are replete with internal rifts over the distribution of tickets. This will certainly impact their loyal vote banks. Faizullah of Masho Khel concurred. “Candidate forms were available for a mere Rs10 each,” he said, adding although the large number of contestants speaks for people’s trust in the system, it is not a positive sign for a democracy that is still taking baby steps.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2015.