"I polled my vote against the status quo with a hope to bring a change. Because, I want a change through ballot - one that can ensure peace, stability and justice in Pakistan," said Nida Nisar, a 19-year old girl belonging to Rawalpindi.
Nida, who used her right to vote for the first time in life, was hopeful that election can bring about a desirable change. "I want this country to be a safe place, where incident like Lal Masjid operation should not be repeated," she said while standing in Government Christian Higher Secondary School polling station, hardly 200 meters away from famous Lal Haveli - the residence of former minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad.
Accompanied by her 22-year old sister while polling vote, she said she has cast the ballot amid fears of violence. But I came because I want a change, said Nida - an FA student, while standing among other female voters.
Nida was stopped by other female voters as they were also keen to express their own feelings, which this correspondent found mostly "anti-Musharraf". "I voted for Sheikh Rashid in the past. But this time I am not going to vote in his favour. He was part of the bloody Lal Masjid operation," said Munazza - a teacher in a private school. "I am voting just to express my anti-Musharraf feeling. The election ultimately provided me with this opportunity," she said.
Several voters in nearby male polling station said that the next government will have to change Pakistan for better. "The country has no law. There is no justice. There is no peace. There is only one thing, which you can find abundantly is price hike," said Najibullah, a 61 year old retired government employee in Shamsabad polling station situated on Murree road.
What we want from the next government is to ensure peace. Stop operation against innocent people, redirect and redefine its war on terror, and reduce the prices of essential items, said another Muzammil Jamal - a graduate in political science. "The option of going with Musharraf looks to be dark, if the next government wants to fulfil the aspirations of voters," he said.
Almost every voter, who favoured the opposition parties, came clear and announced that they had voted either for PPP or PML-N. A very small number of people in Shamsabad polling station did not answer the question who they voted for. It is believed that those who did not disclose this, had voted for Q-league.
The PPP and PML-N workers were jubilant all the way as they were least bothered about the defeat. "Either we or the PML-N will win," said Imran a political worker of the PPP who along with others were in joint anti-Sheikh Rashid rally with the PML-N. The workers of the two major opposition parties were chanting anti Sheikh Rashid slogans simultaneously in the Lal Haveli vicinity, which was heavily guarded by police and rangers instead of his long-time workers.
The voter cast his/her vote for bringing a change, said analyst Lieutenant General Talat Masood (Retd). There is no charismatic leader left with the parties. The only recipe for strong government is the strong political party. The PPP will remain united at least for the time being, he said.