Islamabad (July 24, 2018): The election campaign by political parties ended across the country for the General Polls, which will be held on Wednesday.
Political leaders and contesting candidates made last-ditch efforts through public gatherings, corner meetings and door to door campaigns to garner maximum public support.
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At the stroke of midnight, 24 hours before election day, all electioneering activities have been suspended by political parties in accordance with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s guidelines.
No party is allowed to hold any political gathering or corner meeting from 12.00am Tuesday till the elections are over, and all political activity will remain suspended until election results are formally announced.
Section 182 of Election Act 2017 states that no person shall convene, hold or attend any public meeting and no person shall promote or join in any procession within the area of the constituency during a period of 48 hours before polling.
Although all three major political parties had planned to culminate their campaigns with large political gatherings on Monday, the final day of electioneering seemed to lack colour and energy and concluded without much fanfare.
PML-N Ends Campaign in DG Khan
PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif addressed a big rally in Dera Ghazi Khan — where he is contesting for an NA seat.
Shehbaz Sharif claimed that his party will clean sweep in the elections despite all the “injustices”. He said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif ended darkness in the country.
He further said that the party has made Danish schools and cadet colleges in Dera Ghazi Khan, adding if he gets a chance then the PML-N will convert DI Khan into Lahore.
“Every party worker is pivotal to the party,” said the PML-N president.
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Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in his message from Adiala prison, Monday urged the masses to vote for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in July 25 polls.
PTI Ends Campain in Lahore
PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressed supporters at multiple places in Lahore — with large gatherings planned at Jallo Mor and Wapda Town — as party formally ended its campaign with the jalsa at Data Darbar.
Imran Khan on Monday lamented former Punjab Chief Minister Sharif family particularly Shehbaz Sharif and said he was acting more than playing in movies.
Imran Khan made these views during his last stormy visit in provincial capital Lahore ahead of General Elections 2018.
Imran Khan—who is sensing victory in elections 2018—deplored that residents of the provincial capital do not have access to clean water.
“Abid Boxer assassinated people at the behest of Shehbaz Sharif. The condition of schools in Lahore is deplorable”, added Khan.
Bilawal Ends Campaign At Bhutto Mausoleum
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari ended his election campaign on Monday night by offering Fateha (prayers) at the Bhutto Mausoleum at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.
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On Monday, Chairman PPP also visited Shahadkot, Garhi Khairi, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Garhi Yasin. The PPP Chairman reiterated his party’s commitment to democracy.
“During my entire campaign, I have taken PPP’s Manifesto everywhere with me. The reason is simple: I want to let the people of Pakistan know what the PPP stands for. We believe in freedoms, democratic principles and we want the best for our nation,” said Bhutto.
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The PPP chief remarked how other parties only indulged in point-scoring and calling each other names while the PPP leadership actually raised issues related to the well-being of the people of Pakistan.
“We have never resorted to name-calling. Such tactics are only used by those who don’t have anything substantial to say. I am here to serve my nation; nothing else matters. Fulfilling Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s mission is my ultimate goal.” Chairman PPP said he believes in a progressive Pakistan.
According to ECP, over 12,570 candidates are in the run for seats of National and four provincial assemblies.
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Against the National Assembly’s seats, about 3,675 candidates are in the electoral race whereas about 8,895 for the provincial legislatures.
According to the data shared by the ECP, 1,696 candidates are vying for the National Assembly’s constituencies from Punjab and 4,242 for the provincial legislature.
From Sindh, 872 are contesting for the National Assembly seats and 2,382 for the provincial assembly.
Total contesting candidates for the National Assembly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are 760 and 1,264 for the provincial assembly.
For Balochistan’s National Assembly seats, there are a total of 303 candidates and 1,007 for its provincial assembly seats.
In Islamabad, seventy-six candidates are in the race for three seats of National Assembly.
According to the electoral rolls, 105.96 million voters are eligible to cast the vote.
In all, 85,307 polling stations have been set up across the country.
Over twenty thousand polling stations have been declared sensitive and CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside all the sensitive polling stations.
450,000 policemen and three hundred thousand army troops will be deployed on the polling day.
It will be public holiday on the election day whilst the ministry of water and power has also been directed by the election commission not to carry out loadshedding on the polling day.
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