All over the city, im hearing of low turnout at various offices. Even while on the streets, the number of cars on the roads were quite less than normal here.

Are people still waiting for election results and a answer to their uncertain future? Or are they looking for an excuse to slack off? What was the turn out at your workplace?

And as I listen to …

Too much love will kill you
Just as sure as none at all
It’ll drain the power that’s in you
Make you plead and scream and crawl
And the pain will make you crazy
You’re the victim of your crime

Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore have seen a clean sweep of PML here. The bigwigs are paying here … ! An interesting thing I heard the other day, from Ch.Zahoor Ellahi Road (Lahore) free distribution of cycles for all (whoever comes) was arranged on 16-17. I hope unki cyclein salamat hain =)

Read more on Big Arm’s shedding, Election 2008 Newsroom, Lahore Election watch & Karachi Watch.

Keep coming back.

Image Courtesy:Daily Times

I suggest:

** Shauq da koi mol nayin **

** Yah Aalam Shauq Ka … **

What comes to your mind?

As Shahab mentioned in his post: “Not everyone can be crooks” … I was amazed to see teh spirit of this old lady … Bravo :)

Image Courtesy: Hanif Khattak – He has a lot more to offer from the election day happenings.
_{Click on pic to go to original source}

Elections were held yesterday throughout Pakistan. Polls were conducted for National Assembly(NA) and Provincial Assemblies on the same day. Quite contrary to what was being suggested by some politicians as well as by the public opinion at large, the day has been peaceful on the whole. There has been some tragedies; firing and a blast, claiming precious lives including those of the candidates as well. In some cities, where political rivalry is quite tense, e.g. Gujrat, there has been heavy firing, but on the whole, the day has been peaceful as compared to what we have seen in recent past.

Unofficial results have started poring in on TV channels. In capital, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has the winning score so far in both NA constituencies NA-48, NA-49. In Rawalpindi, the twin city of capital, again its PML-N, with the highest bar so far. In NA-56, Hanif Abbasi (PML-N) is leading with Sardar Shoukat Hayat (PPP) at no 2. Sheikh Rashid (PML-Q), as expected, is no where in the top 2 as of now. In NA-54, Malik Abrar (PML-N), who is also contesting for provincial assembly for PP-10, and is contesting a NA seat for the first time, is leading with Zamorad Khan (PPP) at no 2. There has been no results so far for NA-55, where Makhdum Javed Hashmi (PML-N) is expected to give a tough time to Sheikh Rashid (PML-Q) (who is also contesting from NA-56) and Malik Aamir Fida Paracha (PPP).

Interestingly, in Gujrat, the home constituency of Chaudhary Brothers of PML-Q, Chaudhary Mukhtar (PPP), who is also a cousin, is winning so far. PML-N didn’t appoint any candidate in the constituency.

As per the results so far there are three names coming up, Pakistan Peoples Party / Parliamentarians from Sindh, PML-N from Punjab and Awami National Party (ANP) from NWFP and Balochistan. As the results are neither official nor complete as yet, so nothing can be said for sure. This is just an initial impression.

The results so far are aligned with the general public opinion before elections. And if it continues the same way, it is quite probable that these three parties will be forming a collation government.

We will update this post as soon as the results are complete.

Our sister blogs LMB & KMB have also covered the day.

As election results are flooding in, my heart’s falling for a few candidates. Like this poor guy, who contested from NA 48 as independent candidate. Distributed cards, brochures (I hope not the whistles – His symbol in elections) [even web presence] in wide area of his constituency. And what did he got — Nil vote (I wonder he gave his precious vote to whom…) BTW, he’s the owner of CJ .

In the process of election campaign, he (like many other candidates) spent hundreds of thousands to straighten his path towards the constitution avenue.

At this point, I get even more confused: by contesting in election he played his part towards grand betterment of country or he wasted this money that could’ve been used for the betterment of people?

I’ve always had a unique fondness for elections. This is not due to my love and regard for democracy. Nor is it because of my confidence in our country’s electoral system. Far from it.
(more…)

The 2008 elections are here, the heat is on, and you have something important to say…

This is where you take control of what is said about the candidates. Speak your mind, and see others reply to your comments. Rate the candidates on Candidate Desirability Index (CDI) and see which candidates are the most talked about.

Check out http://pw.org.pk

I started out about a month ago to determine why people would not vote. A lot of very interesting reasons came up, including the regular ‘im not represented’ to the more surprising ‘imran khan isnt running, so i wont vote’.

However, one concept which stood out was ‘voting for party’ vs ‘voting for candidates’. Much of the discussion on the posts were revolving around party and the ultimate party leaders. The actual candidates, the people who would be representing you the voter, were all but ignored.

The candidates are the people who would be responsible for raising your voice to the provincial and national assemblies and making sure your needs are taken care of. But will they actually raise your voice if they have no responsibility to you?

I urge you all to find out who are your local candidates (no longer a problem since doc is making it all public) and find out
who would best represent you. Next, go out and actually cast a vote!