South Punjab has a total of 60 National Assembly seats, which makes it a voluminous significance in Pakistan’s political landscape. Winning South Punjab is very difficult, so it remains a mix of parties stronghold here. It is also that part of Punjab where PPP makes some significant moves. Gilanis of Multan and Peer of Sadiqabad and Raheem Yar Khan, makes its significance more than vital.
Thirteen districts of Punjab in Southern and West Southern part of the country have 48 national assembly seats. In the west its border is touched by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and it goes towards Western Agency of Pakistan, Federally Administrated Tribal Area. Lower Western area touches Balochistan and Tribal Area administered by Punjab. Rising tension and escalating violence in KPK and Balochistan is directly affecting the area.
It is a common perception in the country as well as in the political parties of Pakistan that winning more seats in South Punjab is a way to form the government in the centre. Three major political parties of Pakistan, Muslim League Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf are ever focused on this area because it is evidenced that the political party having majority in this area will thrive to form federal government.
In overall Punjab, the most important province of Pakistan having 127.69 million population comprising 11 Divisions and 42 Districts. Since it is the most populous province in Pakistan therefore, it’s also the most politically influential province, so winning support in Punjab definitely plays a big role in determining the fate of the elections every time.
Voter statistics are interesting in the province as there is a big gap in male and female voters in the province in spite of equal population of both. It comprises 73.20 million voters in which 39.12 voters are male and 34.08 voters are female. It reflects a big gap as the difference of both is 54.13 and 45.87 percent. Almost 5 million female voters are not registered in the province and this
situation is prevailing in the whole country. Of these, 31.73 million voters are less than 35 years old, which means the largest number of voters are young and also have an opinion about elections and the political situation of Pakistan.
In Punjab there is a direct contest on 148 seats of the total of 272, reflecting the importance of the province in national politics. So, the Muslim League definitely considers it a winning platform and is focused on this area. On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party has its political hub in Sindh Province, and now the party has also been focusing on Punjab, specifically South Punjab, so that they can do significant damage to Muslim League Nawaz and form the government in the center. This is for the first time that a huge number of candidates have submitted their nomination papers to the election commission.
The widespread arrests of candidates have significantly heightened pressure on various parties casting a shadow over its electoral prospects.
The Election Commission has purchased 2400 tons of paper for the printing of ballot paper, and if we see it in contrast, then it was 800 tons in the last elections conducted in 2018. Means the count of independent candidates has doubled coinciding with the rise in both population and number of votes. Almost 18000 candidates are now chasing 1125 seats in the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies and these numbers are unprecedented. In the history of Pakistan, it has never been witnessed that, on average, there were more than 19 candidates in the constituencies.
The number of candidates touching almost 18,000 is certainly imposing a unique type of challenge for the voters all over the country who now have to navigate through so many choices causing a state of dilemma between them. This increasing number of candidates is also reflecting a diverse and fragmented political landscape which is signaling a shift in traditional party dynamics. So, in these elections, the challenges extend beyond the voters, affecting political parties as well.
Comprising the important chunk of National Assembly seats, Southern Region of Punjab have the identical importance for National Politics in Pakistan.
This is why even in a phase of election in Pakistan the Election commission is still contemplating delay of election process in some areas. Considering that this is the closest time to the elections this definitely marks as an unprecedented occurrence that the public uncertainty is persisting due to these prevailing circumstances leaving people questioning whether elections will take place in their area as scheduled or not. This situation is damaging the election campaigns but now the important official corner of the country is emphasizing the election commission to strictly follow the schedule.
In spite of large official political activities, the election campaign seems feeble in Pakistan due to stern political atmosphere in the country. The major player has little to no role in the political process and the immense names are out from the scenario. But knowing the only way to go forward for the country in conducting elections, stake holders are steadfast to complete this process with all efforts.
