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Low turnout expected in Pakistan polls

Giving an overview, Faryal Leghari, researcher, Security and Terrorism Studies and Pakistan-Gulf Relations at the Gulf Research Centre, said it was still early to predict the outcome of the February 18 parliamentary polls.

“In my opinion the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will capitalise on the sympathy factor due to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto,” said the researcher.

Faryal also said that, at present, the vote bank in the country was ‘individualistic’ rather than based on constituency. “The mood of the people, too, is not upbeat as they have been bogged down by a security threat, economic crunch, and flour and power shortage,” she added.

She also explained that the ruling government’s popularity had been hit by the judiciary issue while a recent alliance between the main opposition parties — headed by Nawaz Sharif (PML-N) and Asif Zardari (PPP)— could pose a serious challenge to President Pervez Musharraf.

“Musharraf has support from PML-Q while the opposition has already alleged that massive rigging is expected in the elections.

“The army, too, has announced that it will not play a major role in the polls,” she explained, adding, “We have to wait and see the results.”

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