We
are inching towards our elections 2018 and political atmosphere is getting
tense. The recent conviction of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz has become a
hot topic in all circles.
Whereas
the election symbol of jeep is echoing too in Pakistan and election pundits are
of the view that this unusual transition from pitcher (last election symbol of
independent candidates) to jeep is very meaningful for future elections. The
independents appear to have formed a group in advance of elections and they may
act like strong political pressure group. The group can be named as “jeep
group”
It
has intrigued me as to why the royal independent candidates have been lured in
to contest on symbol of jeep. Obviously they have formed an election syndicate
to undermine the political parties as well as our institutions.
I
did some research to find out about the history of jeep just for public
information and its use with qualities. In fact a jeep is a small, sturdy motor
vehicle with four-wheel drive and is especially known to be used by the
military. Earlier than 1940 the term “jeep” had been used as U.S. Army slang
for new recruits or vehicles, but the World War II “jeep” that went into production
in 1941 specifically tied the name to this light military 4x4, arguably making
them the oldest four-wheel drive for the army. Jeep is a vital transport in the
war. The “jeep group” has chosen this symbol to show their strong intent to be
powerful by showing symbolic deception, as independents have used their symbol
for deception, and someone within the independents have played a fast one to
choose jeep as symbol in election. Let us see if the royal independents with
combination of electable will be able to get the desired results? I think it
will not be the symbol of jeep, which will matter but the strength of money,
which the most of the independents will inject in their constituencies.
The
word ‘jeep’ has become the buzzword in political and social circles these days.
It is because the “jeep” has been allotted as election symbol to at least 150
candidates (60 NA and 90 provincial assemblies).
Chaudhary
Nisar Ali Khan a close friend of Shahbaz Sharif and the former Interior
Minister and a known leader of the Pakistan Muslim League was the first one to
have chosen this symbol as he is contesting the upcoming elections as an
independent candidate from NA-59, NA-63, PP-10 and PP-12.
More
than 11 candidates of PML-N have returned their party tickets and sought the
Jeep symbol from the ECP. It looks that Ch. Nisar has been able to get some old
colleagues form PMLN with him. The time would tell as to how many more would
join Ch. Nisar and let us see as how many jump out from PMLN boat and take fast
ride of Jeep.
The
only symbol, which has history other than PMLN Symbol, is “Arrow”. It is known
fact that sword was the election symbol of PPP chosen by ZAB but PPP was
deprived to contest election on ‘Sword’ symbol. It was Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir
Bhutto who then chose ‘Arrow’ as PPP symbol to contest election.
Basically
PML had original symbol of Pakistan flag but due to disintegration of the
country in 1971, it had lost its sign; now the symbol of ‘tiger’ (not lion) has
been allotted to PML-N depicting power. Similarly PTI’s ‘bat’ symbolizes game
and lets us see what will be the end game of PTI. Similarly all other parties
have history of their symbols.
The
ECP data shows that the PPP has fielded the largest number of 225 candidates
(90pc) in 248 constituencies across the country. The PTI and the PML-N have
fielded 218 (87pc) and 193 candidates (77pc), respectively, all over the
country whereas, the religious party Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) headed by
Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi has also in the race this time getting more
candidates than any other religious party in the political arena for decades.
TLP has fielded more than 150 candidates for the National Assembly seats across
the country.
The
candidates of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) have decided to contest election
from the platform of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) fielding 191 candidates for
National Assembly across the country.
Election
2018 is a tough contest for all leading political parties, as a lot has changed
in these 5 years of past government.
Coming
to Election symbol, jeep has been chosen by 122 candidates as their election
symbol. I, in my earlier article under the caption “I am election 2018”, where
I had hinted clearly that a group of independents is in making and it is now
reality.
The
likely hung Parliament would be unfortunate and it would symbolize as
indecisive nation. Imagine three big parties running after the jeep post 25
July elections. The possible probable combinations coalition post-election
would be:
PPP-
Jeep
PTI
-Jeep
PML/Shahbaz
- Jeep
(Shahbaz
is close to Jeep via his best friend)
PPP
-PTI
PPP-PML
N
These
are above possible coalition combinations. I have applied the knowledge of
experimental design and theory of probability on this combination based on the
available past data and information and I find two most plausible and doable
coalitions from above and one of them will make federal government depending on
their number of seats.
People
must reject those who changed their loyalties and those who are helping to
promote “lotacracy”. Let us say no to “lotacracy” and yes to democracy while
casting of our vote.
The Article has been Published in
‘’ THE NATION’’ on dated July 10th, 2018
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