A
Snap Poll shows Most will not Vote in October Elections
By
M. Malkham
ISLAMABAD: Majority of Pakistanis, disappointed with politicians
as well as the Musharraf government, don’t seem willing
to participate in the October general elections, as they fear
that government will maneuver results for their favourites, shows
a survey conducted by SAT in the twin cities of Islamabad/ Rawalpindi.
Those
who are willing to participate in elections seems furious against
the policies of General Musharraf government and attempts to bring
his King’s Party, PML-QA, and some individuals in power,
through engineered elections.
This
group of common people is of the opinion that if they don’t
participate, this will give the government a free hand to manipulate
the results. Most of them are unhappy over the use of government
machinery and development funds for favourite candidates.
A
political worker who maintains his business close to ISI headquarter
in Islamabad said government was acting as a party in these elections
and is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure victory for their
selected few. When asked to explain, he said just spend a day
in my office and watch how many new vehicles leave the ISI headquarter
for different areas of Pakistan to provide logistic support to
already selected candidates.
SA
Tribune interviewed 100 people to know their views about the government’s
role in election campaign and asked them about their favourite
party. Fifty percent of the people were of the view that they
will not participate in elections, as this will not be of any
use.
Muhamad
Khan, a labourer, said his decision will not matter and government’s
selected people will win next elections on every seat. So there
was no use to cast the vote. Further that he had seen major political
parties governments in past and both proved worse. This time he
will not go to vote for any body.
Musa
Karim said PPP and PML-N both were corrupt parties as their leaders
plundered national exchequer so he can’t vote to bring them
back in power. About Musharraf government he said, this government
had nothing to do with general public.
Muhawar
Hassan, a taxi driver said, I don’t like Musharraf as well
as political parties as none of them was sincere with the people.
When questioned about religious parties he said they too were
misleading with people. “I will not vote in next election
and I will pray to God to help this nation which has been hijacked
by dacoits.”
He
called Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif as biggest looters and
Musharraf like them who has taken over control of the country
with gun power. Now he wants to bring group of looters (PML-QA)
in power through rigged elections.
Ayesha,
a university student said we are a bad nation as we could not
bring a person by vote in the office of President or Prime Minister
and one person has assumed all the power. “Those who think
that Musharraf government,” which she called “illegitimate
and unjustified”, will go for fair elections were fools.
She concluded with a commitment that she would not vote in the
next elections.
Akbar
Raja said all the political parties were good and doing some thing
good for public but they were not allowed to perform as all political
governments were packed by the establishment after 1985. He further
said PPP government gave plots to poor people and economy was
going well. Nawaz Sharif did work in communication sector but
they were packed before completion of their tenure.
Ghulam
Din, who runs a samosa shop in Islamabad, said the army should
stay in the barrack and let the civil affairs for politicians.
If they (politicians) were corrupt then public will conduct their
accountability. The army has no authority to come and start accountability
after every 10 years and leave the country in a worse condition.
Only
three persons spoke in favour of the religious parties. Muhammad
Kazim said we have tried PPP and PML-N now we should elect the
religious parties and give them a chance to rule us.
A
shopkeeper in Super Market of Islamabad said Musharraf’s
government was the best which ever he had witnessed in Pakistan
and every thing was going fine. Election were being conducted
in free and fair atmosphere. When questioned about the seriousness
of his stance, he said you don’ t know my position. “You
will write all this in newspapers with my name or show my picture
then government people will come and “investigate’
me at some safe house as others are being interrogated. They will
teach me a lesson. So the best thing is to be careful.”
