he polling day in Pakistan is always shrouded in intrigue. This one was no different. Nobody believed the process was fair; nobody thought their vote would make a difference. But vote we did, however begrudgingly.

Amidst rumours of mobile phone services being cut down all day long, electoral staff looking down on people voting independent and leaked videos of fanatics forging votes to a tune circulating on social media, the much-prophesised, much-awaited day passed us by in a flurry of Instagram selfies of the marked thumb with a nihilist quote encapsulating the ‘election spirit.’

The citizens of our wonderfully democratic state showcased a range of attitudes to the election, from trolling the PML-N voters on X to not even knowing which polling station they were assigned. Many found that despite being 18 years old, their vote wasn’t registered yet, and could not be registered the day before the election. Many reported that half of the family’s votes were registered in their own city, Lahore, and the other half were to trek across 25 miles back to the village they were born in to vote. Was this a tactic designed to sway election results based on demographics?

When citizens stepped out to vote, some polling stations were abandoned. Some were being operated by astute aunties rishta-hunting for their sons (the grind never stops). Some were manned by PML-N supporters wearing kurtas with Shahbaz Sharif’s likeness emblazoned on them; not a fashion choice to be lauded. At some polling stations reserved for women, nondescript men were found inside, or crowds blocked the entryway before 5pm, effectively stopping women from voting.

One refreshing aspect of the election was PTI’s use of technology, from their followers DM-ing Imran Khan on Facebook their constituency numbers to find electoral symbols, to publicising easy pathways to report rigging incidents. Their tech game has definitely won them many a netizen.

There are very few constants in Pakistan, but a KFC deal capitalising on the newest hot thing is mandatory. Think Eid, think PSL, think Azadi; KFC’s marketing team never fails to show up. Also, never to be bested are the Pakistani X memes, now better than ever with a Wattpad-inspired, star-crossed lovers one-shot starring Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif, with a cameo from Lahore’s own Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Election results, or lack thereof, proved to be both riveting and anticlimactic, in the sense that independents were winning. I fell asleep at 2 am, having given up on any hope of a conclusive outcome.

Listening to Muhammad Junaid for three and a half hours nonstop, accompanied by the desi-uncle variety of political commentary which involves winding tales of the backstories of every politician in their city, gets taxing for one. All in all, elections are fun. 4.5/5. Would be nice if they happened now and then. Every five years is a good time, too.

The writer is an interdisciplinary student of literature and sciences at Lahore College of Arts & Sciences. She can be reached at fajr.rauf5@gmail com

Towntalk

When citizens stepped out to vote, some polling stations were abandoned. Some were being operated by astute aunties rishta-hunting for their sons (the grind never stops). Some were manned by PML-N supporters wearing kurtas with Shahbaz Sharif’s likeness emblazoned on them; not a fashion choice to be lauded.

— Photo by Rahat Dar