OVER 17,800 candidates are ready for Pakistan’s general election-2024. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially unveiled the comprehensive list of candidates for the upcoming general election scheduled for 8 February 2024. A total of 17,816 candidates have entered the electoral arena, reflecting a diverse mix that includes 4 transgender individuals and a substantial number of women. The breakdown of candidates reveals that for the 266 constituencies of the National Assembly, there are 1,780 male and 93 female candidates representing various political parties. In addition, a notable 3,027 independent candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, comprising 2,219 men, 219 women, and 2 transgenders.
The overall count for candidates competing for the general seats of the National Assembly stands at 5,121. Among these contenders, 4,806 are men, 312 are women, and 2 are transgender individuals, emphasizing a diverse representation in the democratic process. Moving to the provincial assemblies, the data indicates that 6,710 candidates will vie for seats in the Punjab Assembly, with 2,878 candidates for the Sindh Assembly, 1,834 candidates, including 2 transgenders, for the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and 1,273 candidates for the Balochistan Assembly. In sum, the Commission’s current report unveils a total of 12,695 candidates participating in the electoral fray across the four provincial assemblies. With the inclusion of the National Assembly, a grand total of 17,816 candidates will be contending for the general seats in both the national and provincial assemblies. The diverse range of candidates signals an active and dynamic political landscape as the country approaches the crucial electoral event.
It’s not been a great couple of years for Imran Khan. Since his ouster as Premier in an April 2022 no-confidence vote, the cricketer-turned-politician has been shot, hit with over 180 charges ranging from rioting to terrorism and jailed in a fetid nine by 11 foot cell following an August 5 corruption conviction for allegedly selling state gifts. As Pakistan approaches fresh elections on February 8, the 71 year old Imran’s chances of a comeback appear gossamer thin. Imran Khan won’t have cricket bat. Because of Imran Khan’s anti-state conduct, PTI is banned from using its iconic cricket bat logo on ballot papers, significantly hampering its chances amongst an electorate which is up to 40% illiterate. Most crucially, it effectively bans the PTI as a party and means its candidates are likely to have to stand as independents, who will use a range of symbols ranging from a rollercoaster to a goat. The election symbol is an integral component of fair elections. It’s rendering the PTI toothless.
The hurdles facing Imran Khan and PTI stand in stark contrast to the lot dealt to Nawaz Sharif, three-time former Prime Minister, who was most recently unjustly ousted in 2017 and sentenced to 10-year imprisonment. In 2018, Sharif travelled to London on bail for medical treatment but absconded and remained a fugitive in exile. But on October 21, an apparently healthy Sharif returned to Pakistan, where his corruption conviction was swiftly quashed and last week his lifetime ban from politics also overturned. Sharif, 74, has launched his campaign to return as Prime Minister for a fourth time—much to the chagrin of disenfranchised PTI supporters. It’s no secret that Nawaz Sharif has the support of all stakeholders which ultimately means he’s a shoo-in to return to power.
All the political parties willing to contest general election-2024 and wish to form a government do not have any clear formula for the solution of the problems of the country and the nation. The nation has long been facing multiple challenges such as health, education, law and order situation, corruption, polarization, unbearable prices of petroleum products, gas and electricity bills, price hike, inflation, etc. Monitory matters of the country are already in bad shape. The foreign reserves are very bleak. Pakistan doesn’t enjoy strong political and diplomatic relations with different countries. Terrorist attacks of TTP, BLA and BLF have jolted the entire country. A long range of issues are haunting poor Pakistanis. Civic life of masses is completely destroyed.
Will any party be in a position to provide solutions to the problems of the people of Pakistan? Just before general election, PML-N seems to make its way to the central and Punjab governments quite easily. The PML-N has no tough contest with PPP and PTI. Will any single party be able to give solutions to all the problems? I think all the political parties should come forward to rescue country and the nation. Constitutionally all the political parties should have representation in all the provinces of the country. No party should focus on any specific province or region. Regional influence of the political parties damages the spirit of federation. Representation of a political party in all the provinces and regions establishes strong bondage with federal units. In 1971, overwhelming majority of Awami League in East Pakistan and Pakistan People’s Party in West Pakistan caused disintegration of the country. Political leaders need to learn lesson from tragedy of fall of Dacca.
—The writer is editor, book ambassador political analyst and author of several books based in Islamabad.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
