Nation votes in mother of all elections with surprising turnout
Arrow goes lethal—Tiger goes wild — cycle tumbles down
International Observers satisfied—Peace, Transparency, Fairness rule the polling day—Terror, rigging fears vanish—flour crises, load shedding, price hike sink Q League boat—Sympathy Vote Strengthens PPPP position—Q's failure results in N's success—PPP sweeping Sindh. PML(N) swallowing Punjab ANP smells renaissance in NWFP—Q trying to emerge in Baluchistan, loses heavyweights at centre
Makhdoom Babar, Uzma Zafar & Saad Saud in Islamabad, Zeeshan Mirza & Mona Khan in Karachi, Adnan Rafique Chauhdary and Umer Cheema in Lahore, Tarique Yousafzai & Iqbal Khattak in Peshawar and Hassan Talpur & Jam Anis Ahmad in Quetta

ISLAMABAD— As the nation votes in The Mother of All Elections that can clearly be described as the most transparent, free and fair polls in the political history of the country, surprising results have started emerging, indication PPPP heading to claim major victories at Sindh and Centre while PML (N) following it at both centre and Punjab, pushing aside the former ruling PML (Q). However PML (Q) is making some surprising wins in Baluchistan, giving an indication that Islamabad’s policies towards Baluchistan in the recent past have been much welcomed by the people of Baluchistan. Last election’s biggest loser from NWFP, the Awami National Party (ANP), it appears, is seeing a renaissance in the current polls, thanks to split in MMA and failure of the MMA government in NWFP during the last five years of their rule in the province.

Fairness and transparency of the polling process can be gauged from the fact that the President of the former ruling party PML (Q) Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain not only lost his seat in his home town but many central leaders of the party and a tally of former heavy weight Federal and Provincial Ministers, belonging to Q league also could not make it and lost their seats with heavy margins. The bigwigs of the Q league that lost the seats on Monday include, Ex- Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Ex-Federal Minister Humayon Akhtar Khan, Ex-Federal Minister Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri, Ex- Federal Minister Sher Afgan Niazi, former Speaker National Assembly Chaudhary Ameer Hussain, Ex-Federal Minster Nasir Khan, Ex- Federal Minister Chaudhary Shabaz, Ex-Federal Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Ex-Federal Minister Liaquat Jatoi, Ex-Federal Minister Sikandar Bosan and Ex-Federal Minister Wasi Zafar.
The most interesting feature of the Monday’s polls was that in a surprising move, the voters came out flying and an unprecedented turnout was recorded, amidst the fears of terrorism and sabotage and violence as well. In many areas, the turnout was recorded to be as high as 80 % to 90 % while the general turnout remained over or around 50%. Over 10,00 foreign observers and media personnel witnessed the polling process to their utmost satisfaction however the confusing NEW voter lists deprived many of their right to vote.
The initial scenario reflects that the Q league was seriously injured by the flour crisis and the power crisis and the price hike that gripped the country, though soon after the Q league government seized to exist. On the contrary, the same elements came as boosters to the PML (N) who got maximum benefit out of it. The PPPP however emerges as the major leader in the light of the tragic assassination of their leader, Madame Benazir Bhutto and the sympathy vote had its great impact on the results.
Meanwhile, the polling for general elections 2008 ended peacefully in general but some untoward incidents were reported from different parts of the country. Over 81 million voters were to exercise their right to vote to elect representatives for 839 national and provincial assemblies seats in the parliamentary elections described as “mother of all elections.” The polling across the country started at 8 a.m and continued till 5 p.m. It is being followed by vote counts at polling stations and then compilation of result by the Returning Officers for respective constituencies.
Polling started at low pace and turnout remained thin till noon in some parts, but later it picked up and people started pouring in with queues seen outside the polling stations. The government made fool-proof arrangements to make the election process transparent and peaceful and deployed strong contingents of police and rangers at the polling stations to maintain law and order countrywide.
However, some untoward incidents of firing and scuffle between workers of various political parties in different parts of the country were reported. President Pervez Musharraf polled his vote at a polling station at Bhindara School (Rawalpindi) in constituency NA-54 while Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro cast his vote in NA-208 Jacobabad-I.
PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif cast their votes in Lahore, PML-Q President Ch.Shujaat Hussain at his native town Gujrat, Co-Chairman PPP, Asif Ali Zardari at Nawab Shah and JUI Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman cast his vote at his native town Abdul Khel. In Karachi, the process of polling held in a peaceful manner and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the metropolis.
In Lahore, polling for election continued with low turn out witnessed in some areas, but after 2 p.m. it gained momentum. Similarly, in NWFP, polling to elect 35 MNAs and 96 MPAs concluded in almost peaceful atmosphere except few minor incidents of physical brawl reported from different parts of the province.
In FATA, the election was held for 10 constituencies of the national assembly in peaceful atmosphere and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the agencies and FRs. The vote counting began in polling stations in front of polling agents of respective candidates.
In Balochistan, polling held almost in peaceful manner amid tight security. There were 4.3 million registered voters for 14 national and 51 provincial assembly seats. A total of 3,457 polling stations had been established in the province. Some 1,000 international observers and media persons also reached Pakistan to monitor the polls whereas special arrangements were made to facilitate them in pursuance of their professional duties.
Foreign election observers from different countries also visited various polling stations in various parts of the country. For the first time, 430,000 transparent ballot boxes were used at all 64,176 polling stations set up by the Election Commission.
Transparent ballot boxes—one for the national assembly and another for the provincial assembly, are kept for casting of the votes. According to a province-wise break up, polling took place for 147 NA seats in the Punjab, 60 in Sindh, 35 in the NWFP, 14 in Balochistan and 11 in FATA.

HEAVY WEIGHT LOSERS

 

The breakdown of reserved seats for women is 35 in the Punjab, 14 in Sindh, 8 in the NWFP and 3 in Balochistan. There are 10 reserved seats for non-Muslims. Major political parties in the run include PML, PML-N and PPP with several smaller groups and parties also trying to test their luck.
Forty-nine political parties have registered themselves with the Election Commission to get the election symbols. However, 13 of them fielded no candidates while 11 have just one candidate each.
The PPP is the largest party with candidates for 207 NA seats, followed by Nawaz Sharif’s PML which has 166 candidates and PML-Q with 154 candidates.
Special voting screens at the polling stations were being used by the Election Commission, which also put on its wesite computerized electoral rolls as well as lists of all polling stations.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is Co-Chair of the Pakistan Caucus on the Hill expressing her satisfaction over the polling process said that her country wants to see Pakistan emerge as a role model following the elections.
She expressed these views while meeting with President Pervez Musharraf on Monday. During the meeting she exchanged views about the political process and the democratic elections in the country.
She is in Pakistan to observe the elections.Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said that as Co-Chair of the Pakistan Caucus and member of the House she reflected the feelings of her colleagues on the Hill who desired to see democratic, stable and strong Pakistan that continues to play its important role for peace and progress in the region and in the world. They wanted to see Pakistan emerge as a role model following the elections, according to Foreign office spokesman. At her request, the President gave an overview of the developments leading up to the election. He stated that his government was committed to full transition to democracy and today’s elections were yet another evidence of the sincerity of his commitment. He observed that Pakistan suffered from many misperceptions such as the doubts that were being cast over the holding of the elections especially when these were briefly postponed after the tragic assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Today’s elections have once again belied those who raveled in conspiracy theories and spread misperceptions.
The President affirmed that the winning party or a coalition would form the next government and that he would work with the new government in accordance with the Constitution which was based on a Parliamentary system and there was no conflict between the roles of the president and the prime minister of the country, the spokesman said.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee recalled that she had first come to Pakistan accompanying former President Clinton and was impressed by the vision of the President for Pakistan. She appreciated the President’s policies especially for empowerment of women and promotion of a vibrant free media with scores of private sector TV channels operating in the country. She also praised the role of Pakistan in fighting terrorism and paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the Pakistan armed forces. She affirmed that as a friend it would remain her endeavour to present an honest and correct perception of Pakistan.
Ambassadors of UK, US, Japan, China, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Asian Association of Regional Corporation (SAARC) and European Union Countries on Monday visited different Polling station in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and expressed their satisfaction over polling process, security arrangements and performance of elections staff.
Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Seiji Kojina, Canadian Ambassador to Pakistan David B. Collins, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhao Hui, UK High Commissioner in Pakistan Robert Brinkley, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Pakistan Syed Al Awadh Asseri, , Chinese ambassador Lou Zhao Hui , Canadian ambassador David Collins and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Masha Allah Shakiri and other Ambassadors of different European and SAARC countries visited various polling stations in twin cities.
The envoys expressed satisfaction over electoral process and said that Pakistan’s polling process is not much different from other countries. The envoys hoped that the fair, free and transparent elections would not only start new era of prosperity but would boost democracy in the country. The citizens would get real democracy in case of free, fair and transparent elections, they added.
Meanwhile Foreign elections observers visited various polling stations of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The observers from US, Europe and other countries also visited various polling stations and also talked with the polling staff and polling agents of the candidates.
They reviewed various stages of the polling process. About some of polling stations, observers said that most of the voters preferred to stay at home due to security concerns.
US Senator John Kerry Monday said he was impressed by the election process and the arrangements for the polling to provide a chance to the people to use their right of vote.Talking to reporters during his visit to a polling station in Lahore on the polling day, the US Senator appreciated the enthusiasm of the political workers and said they had worked hard for these elections.
On the question of Pak-US relations, he said, “Obviously we want strong relationship going forward.”
He said it is important that rights of the people be protected. He said the United States interest is not for one person. He said it is on the ability of the Pakistani people to exercise their right of vote and to see a government constructively moving to bring people together to resolve the problems.
John Kerry said, “We will like to see these elections to be the new opportunity for the government to restore stability, either through coalition or majority. He said whatever happens, we want to have good relations that work in the interest of the Pakistani people.”
The US Senator said every American is praying for the success of Pakistan adding “We have enormous respect for the sovereignty, history and culture of the Pakistani people.”
He said, “We know there has been struggle since the day of independence, to find a governing structure, that is really delivering to the interest of the people.”
Kerry said, “Our help is that military can step back, and the people through their representative government could step forward” adding that the elections and democracy are the best way in this regard.
He said America will respect the efforts of people of Pakistan if they will move in this direction through the process of vote.