I went to cast my vote in the by-poll election of National Assembly’s NA-250 seat. Army’s B team, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal boycotted the election blaming government of pre-poll rigging. Pakistan People’s Party’s Nafees Siddiqui had support from various parties in ARD (Alliance for Restoration of Democracy) but MMA prefered not to support him and boycott the election.

There is no doubt that MQM’s candidate Ikhlaq Hussain is going to win this selection. There were MQM workers every where in and outside polling stations they ran a huge campaign and used government resources for their campaigning. They have great media relations, they spend huge amounts on advertisements. Still, MMA’s compromise with PPP had the potential to change the entire scenario. At least in this constituency where Jamat-e-Islami always had a strong vote bank.

Pictures, please click to enlarge:

My polling station was Government college for Women, Shahra-e-liaquat. I loved the campus, I didn’t know it is so big and beautiful. The boundary wall of the college is so high that it hides not only the girls but also the beauty of the campus.

Men’s polling booth

Election comission had the list of candidates on display at every polling booth. Some dil-jala PPP worker had used a pen on this list to write “Has Already Won” with the name of MQM’s candidate Captain Ikhlaq Hussain.

The same list again

There were MQM workers every where in and outside polling stations. They were providing free shuttle services to voters. I didn’t see any PPP workers around, those who were sitting at the camps lacked the enthusiasm and energy.

This Pakistan People’s Party’s polling camp. The workers were enjoying free Biryani and there were no young people around.

MMA’s election office locked down.