PTI celebrates the emergence of a new political culture: Hamid Khan

Lahore: The chief election commissioner of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Hamid Khan, in his press conference held today at the Central media Cell Lahore, announced that the successful interparty election for 40 union councils of Islamabad region which took place on the 18th of November 2012 was a new chapter in the country’s history. He mentioned that over 50 percent out of a total of 62500 members exercised their right to vote to choose around 500 party leaders for the federal capital. These are the first-ever intra-party elections to be held in the entire subcontinent, smashing the negative traditions of nominating the party office-bearers by the dictatorial party heads.

Over 50 percent voters cast their votes through cell phones and SMS messages, an around 41 polling stations were established across the federal capital to facilitate those voters who either didn’t have access to cell phones or did not know how to vote through the new technology gadgets. It was also for the first time that the voters exercised their right to vote through modern gadgets and information technology – paving the way for a new, transparent system of voting where the voters were able to choose their leadership without any fear or favour.

Sahfqat Mahmhood, central Information secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf added that the election was held for 9 general and 4 women reserved seats in every union council, however women also contested for the general seats. Shafqat Mahmood said that the PTI had conducted real election in the party and this was a gigantic task undertaken by PTI. “We have installed a mechanism where over 62000 PTI voters took part in the party polls. A new political culture has emerged from these elections which will ensure a foundation for change,” he added.

After the first phase of Union Council elections, countrywide elections will be carried out in different phases. Inter party elections for KPK start next, on the 9th of December 2012 and will be wrapped up by the 19th of December 2012. After which elections for Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan will be held and the entire process is expected to finish by mid January.

Hamid Khan also condemned the government tactics to blocking the phone numbers dedicated for voting by the PTI workers and said that the PTI would face the government’s negative tactics bravely.
The PTI election was a challenge for other political parties as the PTI has set a process of change in the country’s political system. !8th November 2012 was a big day and the political workers have succeeded to win their right to choose their leaders. This election would help smash the family control in political parties.