With a significant participation of women in general elections in federal capital, candidate of Tehrik-e-Insaf Javed Hashmi comfortably defeated PML-N candidate Anjum Aqeel Khan in Islamabad-I (NA-48), whereas, tough competition was seen among PML-N, PPP and Tehreek-e-Insaf in NA-49.
According to an estimate overall turnout was more than 50 percent at 550 polling stations in Islamabad-I (NA-48) and Islamabad-II (NA 49). In 2008 election, the turnout in both constituencies was 44 percent and 57 percent, respectively. The unofficial estimates revealed that PTI's Javed Hashmi has won NA-48 seat. The residents of NA-48 were unhappy with PML-N over awarding party ticket to Anjum Aqeel Khan who won 2008 elections. He was involved in court cases and lost his reputation. However, the Jamaat-i-Islami candidate Mian Aslam was a surprise for many as he has very strong personal vote bank in the constituency. The voters of PPP remained invisible the whole day. At one stage, even they asked their voters to cast vote in favour of PTI.
Waheed Khan, a supporter of PTI attributed the win of PTI in NA-48 to last speech of Imran Khan at D-Chowk which was attended by people of all ages and from every walk of life with enthusiasm. The female voter turnout remained marginally higher than that of male in urban areas. However, the scene in rural areas was completely different. A polling female officer performing duty at F-7 girls' school told Business Recorder that women turnout was exceptional. Long queues of voters particularly women were witnessed on Saturday. Voters went to polling stations to cast their votes to the candidate of their choice. The polling process at all polling stations of Islamabad completed without any single incidence of violence. Law enforcement agencies remained alert to tackle with any emergency. In NA-49, 288 polling stations were set up, whereas 262 were in NA-48.
In urban areas, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates took the lead. Whereas in rural areas candidates belonging to Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan People Party (PPP) had to face tough competition. Voters faced problems when they found that the serial number verified through E-ticketing did not exist in the pictorial voters list available with presiding officers.
The E-ticketing service (8300) remained suspended in Capital during voting. Helpless voters had to run from pillar to post to find out their votes. Nadeem Iqbal, a voter from G-9/4 polling station was amazed to see that the name of his deceased father was included in the voters list. His father expired in March 2005. He told Business Recorder that his late father's name was not excluded from the voters list despite many requests to the concerned authorities.
This is a clear indication that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to delete the deceased names from the voter list which was also recommended by Senate Special Committee on Elections. The Standing Committee showed its apprehensions that diseased persons might be used as bogus votes. Workers of almost all political parties actively participated in the polling process and the way Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) mobilised its voters was outstanding.
The supporters of PTI were so sure about their victory that they started arrangements for celebration in the afternoon - long before announcement of results. From early morning political camps established by political parties gave deserted look except PTI where voters regularly visited to know about their vote number. Out of 6.2 million votes, 3.3 million were male and 2.9 million female in both the constituencies - NA-48 and NA-49.
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