Key questions, prospects and concerns in upcoming general elections.
The economic outlook for the upcoming elections includes important questions, prospects, and concerns. One of Rawalpindi’s busiest business districts is Dubai Plaza. Crores of rupees were transacted on a daily basis up until recently, but now it’s everywhere.
The proprietor of a well-known computer wholesale store in this plaza claims that his daily sales were between one lakh and one and a half lakh rupees till a year ago, and that they are now only twenty to twenty-one thousand rupees.
They believe that the ongoing political uncertainty in the country has hurt the business more than inflation and unemployment. He believes that if transparent elections are held on time, the country may be on the path of improvement.
Not only this gentleman, but every citizen of the country is worried about the worst economic crisis that has been going on for the last two years. The government estimates the annual rate of inflation to be around 30 percent.
The people who are suffering from poverty, inflation and unemployment are pinning their hopes on the elections. The debate is everywhere whether the elections will be held on February 8 or not and if they are, will the government formed as a result of them be strong enough to pull the country out of the economic crisis?
Why is there uncertainty regarding the conduct of elections?
The date of the election has been announced, the election symbols are being allotted, yet there is an uncertainty in the whole country. There is no traditional election campaigning, no poster or wall chalking, sometimes the elders who are considered close to the establishment.
If the resolutions to stop the elections are submitted in the upper house, then the journalists and analysts who are sometimes considered as the spokespersons of the institutions, leave a new mark.
The recent suicide bombing scare has done the trick. It was first reported that Baloch protesters might be attacked, then a new alert was reported on Monday after which several schools in the capital were closed.
Rakim has seen a message issued by an international organization instructing staff, especially foreigners, to be vigilant. Now, if the target of the suicide attack is the Baloch protestors, why are foreign organizations being warned?
The caretaker information minister says that the threat alert has nothing to do with the postponement of the election, he insists on trusting the capabilities of the security agencies, but despite all these government assurances, there is still uncertainty regarding the holding of elections.
Caretaker Minister for Information @murtazasolangi says threat alerts have nothing to do with polling and general elections will be held on Feb 8#News #BreakingNews #Elections2024 #RadioPakistan https://t.co/1CUgV1Yki7 pic.twitter.com/NecqoP5qZb
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) January 22, 2024
9 May Case
The elections to be held on February 8 are different from the previous general elections in that earlier the country’s powerful institutions were angry with the head of the Muslim League (N) Nawaz Sharif and all their leanings were towards cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan. This time the case is reversed.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has lost its value in the eyes of the army due to the attack on the military installations on May 9 and the ridicule of the institutions. There are many serious charges against the party chief Imran Khan and he has been in jail for several months.
One by one, his long-time colleagues have left him as a result of the voice of conscience or alleged pressure. While the newcomers allege that they are being pressured to leave the party and are not being allowed to campaign.
In the drawing rooms of Islamabad, it is sometimes whispered that Nawaz Sharif is not interested in forming the government, sometimes it is said that he is requesting that he be allowed to complete his previous term as Prime Minister.
In the opinion of Abdul Razzaq Khati, an analyst who has a close eye on political affairs, one of the reasons for the uncertainty is the lack of traditional political vicissitudes of the election. Political parties are silent because they have no new narrative.
Imran Khan has hijacked Nawaz and PPP’s anti-US and anti-army narrative. Despite ruling the country many times, Muslim League (N), People’s Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam have no performance to show the voters.
Today the country is almost bankrupt but no party has any plan to bring the country out of economic crisis. Abdul Razzaq Khati believes that this time the election will be fought on the basis of pro-Imran and anti-Imran.
Elections are being held on February 8
At the moment, the biggest question regarding the elections is whether the elections are being held in the country on February 8 or not. Abrar Saeed, a senior analyst associated with the English newspaper, says that the uncertainty surrounding the elections is being spread as part of a regular plan aimed at keeping people from leaving their homes on election day and preventing riggers and those who play their games.
Get a chance. They understand that there is also a fear of attacks that could postpone the elections. Veteran political analyst and senior journalist Sohail Waraich dismissed all fears and said that the elections are being held on February 8.
In the opinion of Abdul Razzaq Khati, if the election is delayed for any reason, it will benefit Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf.
According to him, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf lost its popularity two years ago. But after the dismissal of the PTI government and the cases against Imran Khan, the popularity of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf increased immeasurably.
What will be the turnout?
According to the results of the last elections, the three major political parties in Pakistan at the moment are Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan People’s Party.
During the last elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf emerged as such a political party. Whose voter mood is aggressive. He not only participates in the election campaign but also convinces people in favor of his party on social media and also comes and votes.
However, there is a possibility that in the current situation when PTI leadership is facing serious allegations, PTI voters may not leave home this time.
PTI voter is also likely to get confused by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf not taking away their election symbol and its candidates being allotted ridiculous symbols like shoe.
After PTI’s electoral symbol is stripped from the party, there is a strong possibility that the party will get less votes or lose votes. Because a substantial part of the population is not literate. It would be difficult for villagers to properly stamp a new mark.
Also read this: Why is the PTI ‘Bat’ Symbol so Special for Imran Khan?
