After 2013 elections: 162,501 new voters registered in NA-122 constituency

Fresh infusion likely to increase PTI vote bank

ISLAMABAD: Election officials have registered some 162,501 young voters in the NA-122 constituency of Lahore after the May 2013 polls.

According to details, the number of registered voters has dramatically risen in the same constituency from 326,028 in 2013 to 488,529 voters. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has previously won elections in 2002, 2008 and 2013,respectively.

The ECP record says that there are 268,057 male voters while the number of female voters in NA-122 is 220,472.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, ex-speaker of the National Assembly, had secured 93,389 votes against PTI chairman Imran Khan, who bagged 84,517 votes.

The margin of victory was 8,872 votes but the PTI alleges its mandate was stolen during the 2013 elections and the election tribunal later upheld the view, according to the party.



The last polls were the second time when Ayaz Sadiq defeated his old friend and class fellow Imran Khan. Earlier, in 2002, Sadiq had secured 37,531 votes whereas Imran bagged 18,638 votes. When it comes to turnout of the constituency, in 2002 it had been 33.4% and went a little up with 35.6% in 2008 but it showed a significant improvement during the 2013 polls and went further up to 56.6% – higher than other constituencies of Lahore.

Though Ayaz Sadiq of PML-N had won the constituency in the last three general elections, the party’s lead is not considered as ‘secured’ with rising popularity of the PTI with every passing day. The PML-N had received over 40% votes during 2002 and 67.4% during the 2008 and 51% in 2013.

The registration of new voters in the constituency, which like all others in Lahore, is considered a stronghold of the PML-N, is seen as opportunity by the PTI as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2015.