Heavy turnout boosts Clinton’s prospects

Pakistanis, Muslims go all out for her

WASHINGTON: Long queues of voters were seen across the United States yesterday to mark one of the America’s most polarising and bitterly fought presidential elections in modern history.

Unlike Pakistan, there is no holiday in US on Election Day but still people turned up in huge number in polling stations in Washington and across the United States.

Heavy voter turn-out in crucial battleground states like Florida, North Carolina and Nevada provided relief to supporters of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. These states have large Hispanic population from countries like Mexico where Republican candidate Donald Trump wants to build a wall to prevent immigration. Polling was still on until the filing of this report.

Talking to The News, voters termed the election historic no matter who wins. “I am voting for Hillary Clinton because she is the most qualified person to become the president of the United States,” said Serap Deniz Rada who voted early at a polling station at College Park near Washington.

Serap, a university teacher, is not a die-hard democrat but the candidacy of Donald Trump has made her a staunch Hillary supporter. “I have voted for Republicans in the past and I will vote for them again. But this year's Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is unqualified, inexperienced, divisive, racist, misogynist, selfish and a pathological liar. He is a clear danger to the democracy in America as well as a threat to economic, political and social stability of the nation,” Serap said. She said Hillary has answers to United States problems. “She has the experience, the passion, and the drive to become a successful president.”

Washington and nearby state of Maryland are considered stronghold of Democrats and Hillary is expected to easily win the state.

But Trump supporters are not less enthusiastic. “I want him to make America great again. We have seen Hillary for 30-years and she did nothing for the country,” said Julliet Barns who voted for Trump. She said the country no more needed a traditional politician. “Trump is an outsider. He speaks his mind and he will do what he promises,” she said. Barns lambasted Hillary for lying about emails.

Pakistani-Americans are also participating in voting process with great vigour this time with majority supporting Democratic candidate after Trumps call for banning Muslims from America. Many have volunteered for Clinton campaign for months. “This is a crucial time for us. We have to make our voice count” said Hamza Khan who is head of Democratic Camp in Maryland State. He said Indian Muslims are also supporting Hillary.

Earlier, Pakistani Americans and other Muslim groups launched mosque-to-mosque campaign to increase voter registration to support Hillary's bid. Experts believe the turn-out could be record high in some states given the aggressive campaigning by both candidates.

While speaking on a TV show Trump’s son, Don Jr. said his father’s election would validate those who have been disaffected from the political system in America.

“People who have been let down by the system, I want them to turn out,” he said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I want them to vote. I want them to bring their friends.” Senior Trump hoped his supporters’ intensity would usher him into the Oval Office. He mocked Clinton for having to rely on celebrities, including Jay-Z and Beyoncé, to generate large crowds at the close of the campaign.