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Friday, May 10, 2013

Elections 2013 Are Different From Those Held In Pakistan In The Past








The elections to be held on May 11 (tomorrow) will be quite different from the those held in the past. This is not only due to the fact that one democratically elected government is tranferring power to coming one, but there are several other reasons too. Pakistan has been ruled by military dictators or by Bhutto and Sharif family. People compali that both he famililies have provided chances to weathy people to be more richer and poor became poorest. But the May 11 elections contain many different and unexpected factors. First of all is Imran Khan. The former cricketer Imran Khan who was considered a failed politician by many peopie have risen to peak of politics as a challenge to traditional politicians and political parties. Before falling from fork lifter in Lahore Imran Khan has been holding seven adresses to a large number of public gatherings and he held the maximum number of gatherings than any other patry during the election compaign. Government official in their private estimate that Imran Khan will win the maximum nuimber od sesats. As a claimant candidate of change Imran Khan has the support of different groups. Among them he has attaracted the younger generation who does not want to cast their votes on the will and style of their parents. Imran kHan al;so attracts liberal minded people who think him a liberal. He has also attraction for middle class which is very important because they have decided to cast vote in this election. The mdddle class is unhappy with the upper class who has also been criticised by Imran kHan. The other reason of the difference of the eledction 2013 is the new voter list prepared by election commission. Now there are 86 million registered voters in the country and commssion has cancelled 37 million bogus votes and has added 30 million new voters. This will give quite unexpected results. However, some elements will remain the same as were before. Internal Sind, Baluchistan, Southern Punjab, and some parts of North Western parts of the country, the feudalism still exists, and the people of these areas are the grip of feudal lords they will cast their votes in the traditional way. It means the Punjab, the most richest province of the country will determine the results of the election and there is tough fight for votes between PPP< PML(N) and PTI. The other factor is that of danger of attacks by Taliban on the polling day whereas, they had ceasefire during the previous election. Terrorists are more confident this time and thery openly claim to eliminate democrttic system and are attacking the parties who have been in power during the last regime or those who criticise them. They are attacking PPP, MQM and ANP. Up till now they have killed more than 100 people in election related incidents. In the past judiciary was subordinate to government but now it is independent though they have threats from Tasliban but it is boldly facing the politicians now and trend seems that it may stand against army too (Parvez Musharraf case is an example). If judges maitain their present position then they can hinder the way of military in the future. Independent and free media that informs the audience with the latest news every moment has risen as a new power. Pakistani media has the capability of deputing cameras and reporters to cover each and every news of the hour from nook and corner of the country. In these circumstnce media will make it impossible anybody to influence the results of the lections. Pakistanis are aware of the use of mobile phones and record any event and bring it to the light. Pakistan has other challenges too like the stoppage of million dollars aid that will no more available after the NATO forces leave Afghanistan in 2014. The electricity crisis is severe that factories can not run to their full capacities.

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