A show of power

LAHORE
A head-to-head contest was witnessed between PML-N and PTI in Garhi Shahu and adjoining areas during Sunday’s polling for by-elections in NA-122 and PP-147.
The show of power by the PML-N and PTI supporters and voters was evident on roads and party camps while a very thin presence of PPP voters and supporters was witnessed in these areas.
Big crowds of PTI and PML-N supporters were seen at their respective party camps set up outside the polling stations and on roads. The overall situation in these areas seemed to be 50/50 for the two parties. The metropolis-level political leadership of the two parties was also seen leading small rallies in these areas on different occasions.
The polling got momentum in these areas early morning when the polling time started; however, it dropped by 11:00am. A fresh start by voters, particularly by male voters, was witnessed after 2:00pm and especially by early evening before the polling time ended. Similarly the turnout of female voters was also high after 3:00pm.
Charged supporters of PTI and PML-N on cars, jeeps and bikes kept roaming Durand Road and Allama Iqbal Road the day long chanting slogans in favour of their respective parties and against the leadership of each other’s parties. As compared to polling stations established on Durand Road and Allama Iqbal Road, a thin presence of voters and supporters of PTI and PML-N was noticed on Empress Road. The polling station in this area was established at Government Muslim League High School near the Pakistan Railway headquarters.
Talking to The News a number of voters termed polling arrangements as “perfect” and voting as a wonderful experience in a peaceful manner. Haroon, a radiographer by profession, said it was good to see people coming out to cast votes in large numbers.
A physically challenged female voter, Ayesha, was excited to cast her vote. Coming to the polling station on her wheel chair she gave a clear message to the eligible voters to exercise their right to vote.
It is pertinent to mention here that at different polling stations including polling stations 106 and 108 established at Queen Mary College, journalists were denied entry to observe polling process despite having official entry passes by the Provincial Election Commission. Similar was the situation at polling stations set up at Government Sheikh Sardar Muhammad Girls Higher Secondary School, Allama Iqbal Road.
Another worth noticing aspect was installation of barbed wire around the polling stations and a good number of traffic wardens were also deployed on Allama Iqbal Road who tried to ensure smooth traffic flow as traffic remained choked on both sides of the road on different occasions.
At different places in Garhi Shahu area, possible clashes between PML-N and PTI supporters were avoided by police. A tense situation was witnessed for quite some time outside PTI office near polling station at Government Sheikh Sardar Muhammad Girls Higher Secondary School when some PML-N supporters came there with a big stuffed tiger, their party symbol, on their shoulders and started chanting slogans; “dekho, dekho kon aya, shair aya, shair aya”.
This prompted the PTI supporters to come out of their party office who chanted slogans “dekho, dekho kon aya, shair ka shikari aya.” The policemen nearby, who earlier were silent spectators, soon intervened and dispersed the crowd to avoid any untoward situation.
Another worth noticing aspect was the sale of PTI badges, scarves and caps and face paints on roads especially outside the party’s main office on Durand Road. As compared to PML-N party camps the presence of female supporters was high at the PTI camps.