ISLAMABAD: This time elections are unique because almost all political parties as well as all those are contesting as independent candidates who remained unable to secure their respective political party tickets. Exciting contests are being anticipated during this general elections today.
An interesting contest is expected in NA-54, PP-12, and PP-13 from Taxila, Wah Cantt, and adjacent areas whereby two former federal ministers and other candidates are contesting to clinch the victory for entering into the National Assembly (NA) but chances persist that the voters might vote in favour of any independent candidate.
There are some interesting aspects for General Election 2024 scheduled to be held today (Thursday) in NA-54 as the PMLN and IPP fielded joint candidate Ghulam Sarwar Khan, former federal minister from PTI, after making seat adjustments in certain constituencies but the Barrister Aqeel Malik who was vying for securing ticket of PMLN preferred to contest election as independent candidate with the promise to return the seat to his party after winning the elections. Interestingly, his uncle Malik Umar Farooq has been contesting from PP-13 on the ticket of PMLN while Ghulam Sarwar Khan’s nephew Ammar Khan will contest on the provincial assembly seat as an independent candidate. Different parties are extending their support to different candidates.
In the wake of increased polarization on the political front, there will be dividing voting patterns so whoever will be able to cast maximum votes or would be able to win the elections.
On the other hand, former federal minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is contesting from NA-54 as an independent candidate. His position was weak but he managed to ally the PMLN dissident Zeeshan Siddique Butt who could not get PMLN ticket from PP-12 so he is contesting as an independent candidate after allying with Nisar Ali Khan.
Azra Masood, who is the mother of the former provincial minister of PTI Malik Taimoor Masood, is contesting the election from NA-54 as an independent candidate who has secured the support of PTI. The election results of 2024 will depend upon the ratio of polled votes and the ability of contesting candidates to cast votes in their favour. Whoever performed well on election day by managing polling of maximum votes could demonstrate his victory in the elections.
On the PP-12 seat, Mohsin Ayub from PMLN is the most favourite candidate. The PTI fielded candidate is Saad Khan while Ammar Masood is also considered a strong candidate in this provincial assembly seat.
There are a total of 4,66,344 registered votes in NA-54 with male voters of 241,350 and female 224,994. There are a total of 344 polling stations out of which the female polling stations will be 137 and male 134. There will be joint polling stations 69 in the NA-54.
