Polling day is over but the results are STILL not released in full and voters are fed up. They’re dealing with the delay in the best way they know, with memes about politics. The memes are spreading quickly on social media like Facebook and Twitter. Check out a few below:
Today is a big day in Pakistan as the country goes to vote. In 2018, PTI won and formed the government. This time, the party is fielding its candidates as independents.
The internet is buzzing as unofficial election results show independents in a tight race, and even leading in many constituencies. The competition is so close that nobody knows who will win yet. Everyone is eagerly waiting for the final results. Here are some reactions on social media:
Latest picture of PMLN leadership.. They are not looking too hopeful.. Independents are leading by big number but unconfirmed results are only around 10 percent or less so far.. will the same trend continue is yet to be seen pic.twitter.com/nk7HQRckdt
There are two choices for them. Rig the shit out of this election. Or play the long game of threatening and forcing the PTI independents after the results and try to technically KO PTI. Either way, they have been thoroughly cornered.
The fact that results from most seats show PTI independents in the lead or some PMLN/PPP leaders winning only by a thin margin, despite the symbol issue, leader in jail, the crackdown & abductions, shows the people have already won. Regardless of the final outcome.
WHOAH! Independents i.e. PTI in lead despite massive pre poll rigging in Pakistan. Now post poll rigging going on with reports of media being blocked from reporting results & returning officers disappearing from the scene. Seems like pindiboys are going to fine-tune final count. pic.twitter.com/umOJ2t2FPY
Polling is over for perhaps the most contentious elections in Pakistan’s history, and now the nation is waiting for the results for Pakistan’s general elections.
But when will we know who their next Prime Minister will be?
Not anytime soon, unfortunately.
Here’s how it works. The results as yet are unofficial. Official results are being compiled by ECP and will take a while to tabulate. Once the votes are counted, the parliament will take oath. Then the house will hold election for Prime Minister and the candidate who has the majority of legislators behind him, he wins.
We know that PML-N candidate for Prime Minister is Nawaz Sharif while for PPP its Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
Could a dark horse become our Premier? We’ll know in a few short days.
It’s polling day across Pakistan. People are turning up at polling stations to cast their votes, and celebrities are right in there too.
Many Pakistani stars, including Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ayeza Khan, Khalid Anam, Hina Bayat, Kashif Mehmood, Afzal Khan, Sahiba, Osman Khalid Butt, Mahira Khan, Nadia Hussain, Naveen Waqar have already voted. Hina Bayat gave a special message, asking everyone to vote quickly.
Below, you’ll see some pictures and videos of them taking part in the elections.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wants the mobile service across the country to be restored. The former foreign minister wrote a post on X (previously Twitter) saying, “Mobile phone services must be restored immediately across the country. I have asked my party to approach both ECP and the courts for this purpose.”
Other politicians are also agreeing with BBZ, including Independent candidate and former PPP minister, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar.
Pakistan’s political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the country prepares for critical elections. The young, energetic youth, a demographic powerhouse, holds significant potential to shape the country’s political future, making their thoughts, worries, and aspirations crucial.
Youth Voter Turnout 2018:
According to empirical Analysis of Elections in Pakistan done by Gallup Pakistan, average Youth voter turnout estimates are a mere 31.5% compared to 40% for women voter turnout and 53% for average national voter turnout during the last two elections in 2013 and 2018.
Youth Driven Digital Democracy:
To help the voices of the future, we also need to explore the influence of social media on political opinions and decisions driven by the youth. In the diverse society we are living in, social media is the strongest tool at the disposal of Pakistani political parties which can have a profound effect on youth’s minds and political parties and vice versa. Social media platforms enable young people to participate in conversations, express their opinions, and contribute to an active online political dialogue. Hashtags and trending topics frequently serve as vehicles for political speech, emphasizing certain concerns and establishing a virtual arena for political discourse.
Critical issues for upcoming 2024 election:
The 2024 elections survey by The Current Forum in Pakistan raised important concerns: 51.8% prioritized economic stability, 32.6% emphasized governance and accountability, 8.5%% focused on social services such as education and healthcare, 3.5% were conscious of climate change, and 3.5% were concerned about national security. Instagram polls echoed similar sentiments: 45% prioritized governance and accountability, 42% emphasized economic stability, 11% supported education and healthcare, and 2% were concerned about climate change. These findings highlight the different electorate objectives, emphasizing the necessity for policymakers to develop comprehensive policies that meet several issues
Request for political candidates for immediate impact on universities and student bodies:
The Current Forum’s 2024 elections survey found a wide range of student demands: 40.4% emphasized active engagement in decision-making for inclusive governance, 32.6% requested immediate financial assistance, and 24.8% increased funding for education. Notably, 2.1% prioritized increased campus security. According to Instagram surveys, 43% priorities student assistance, 34% advocate for student involvement in decision-making, 19% demand increased education financing, and 4% emphasize enhanced campus security.
Concerns about the electoral process in Pakistan that need attention and improvement:
Initiatives or strategies that could encourage greater political awareness and participation among the youth in Pakistan:
The study indicates a variety of opinions on improving political engagement among Pakistani young. Notably, 29.8% prefer youth-focused political participation events, while 30.5% support greater young representation. 18.4% favor expanding civic education programs, while 21.3% support easily available information platforms.
According to Instagram polls, 25% prefer greater civic education, while 24% support youth-focused engagement activities. A majority (35%) advocate for expanded youth representation, while 16% support accessible information platforms.
Immediate Priorities for Universities and Students: Requests toPolitical Candidates in Pakistan’s 2024 Elections
The survey responses highlight a range of concerns and requests from students in Pakistan for political candidates to address in the 2024 elections. Key issues include the restoration of student unions, regulation of private institution fees, compulsory on-campus jobs, and student policies that positively impact the student body. The lack of governance in certain regions, particularly in Balochistan, is also a concern. Students advocate for changes in grading systems, tackling harassment issues, ensure affordable fees, and creating job opportunities post-graduation. They also advocate for free education, scholarships, and support for those unable to afford fees. The survey participants urged candidates to address the specific needs and concerns voiced by the student community, fostering a more responsive and accountable approach to policymaking.
The former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, while talking to GEO News, said that if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) gets a simple majority in elections, then PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will be the next prime minister of Pakistan.
The former prime minister also said that PML-N needs to do more work for women’s empowerment, as the party is lacking in addressing this issue. He also said that the party is geared up to fix the economy when they win the election.
A review report of a government organization has revealed that in the general elections to be held on February 8, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will emerge as the largest party, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The third in line is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) while other parties will follow.
Geo’s Umar Cheema reported an official who spoke to The News on the condition of anonymity and said that the government body came up with the analysis based on information gathered through interviews with police sources, revenue department, labor unions and professionals in various sectors.
He explained that the review has been carried out at the police station and union council level. The survey has been done scientifically to remove the possibility of wrong estimates, although the popularity rate of PML-N has been lower in the surveys conducted so far. An optimistic estimate has been made as the party has recorded an increase in popularity since the return of Nawaz Sharif, but no one has so far given an estimate of how many seats the party can win.
International media has also presented Nawaz Sharif as the future prime minister, but whether he will be able to get a simple majority or not is not clear. According to this official assessment, the PML-N will bag between 115 and 132 seats in the National Assembly.
The inclusion of reserved seats for women and minorities would mean that the party would have a chance to form a government alone with a simple majority. It can get close seats, which means PML-N can get a complete majority in the provincial assembly.
PML-N can make a clean sweep in Punjab except for a few districts, says the survey.
According to the estimate, PML-N will form a government with a possible two-thirds majority in Punjab, PML-N will succeed in forming coalition governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, while the PPP has the possibility of forming a government only in Sindh.
The review report says that PPP can get 35 to 40 seats at the center while the independent candidates of PTI can get between 23 to 29 seats. MQM may get 12 to 14 seats, JUI six to eight seats, Q-League and Satwat Pakistan Party are expected to get two to three seats in the National Assembly.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected the application of independent candidate Salman Akram Raja to declare his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Form 33, reports Geo.
ECP passed a reserved decision on Salman Akram Raja’s request to declare his party on Form 33.
Election Commission Deputy Director Law Saima Janjua announced the verdict.
The Commission has said in its decision that Salman Akram Raja has been given the symbol of an independent candidate, but the party he belongs to cannot be given one.
Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan, has lodged a challenge against the authorities’ decision to confine her to her Bani Gala residence to serve a 14-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.
Previously detained at the sprawling residence, Bushra Bibi was imprisoned last month following an accountability court’s ruling that sentenced the couple to 14 years in jail in connection with the Toshakhana case.
In response to a request from the Adiala jail superintendent, authorities designated the Bani Gala house as a sub-jail for the former first lady’s confinement.
Both Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan were handed a 14-year jail term by Judge Muhammad Bashir in the Toshakhana case, which pertains to the illegal sale of state gifts.
In a recent petition, Bushra Bibi expressed her willingness to serve her sentence in ordinary jail premises at Adiala rather than the declared sub-jail at her residence, emphasizing her readiness to undergo punishment like any other political worker of the party.
Furthermore, she cited concerns about her safety in the solitary confinement of the sub-jail premises, highlighting potential security issues for preferring the ordinary jail premises.
“While the petitioner is in good health currently, however, there has been a movement of unidentified people in her house declared as a sub-jail by the Government thereby contributing to her sense of insecurity,” the application claimed.
Bushra Bibi said the “special treatment” afforded to her goes against the spirit of equality guaranteed under the Constitution and is consequently discriminatory.
Given the stated reasons, the petitioner pleaded with the court to set aside notification to declare her house sub-jail and shift her to Adiala Jail in the “interest of justice”.
