Karachi, Ahead of the general elections scheduled for next month, electioneering in Pakistan is gaining significant momentum. Political parties and individual candidates are intensifying their efforts to garner support from the electorate.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the election landscape is bustling with activities ranging from public gatherings to more localized corner meetings. These efforts are part of the political parties’ strategies to connect with voters across the country. A total of 5,121 candidates are contesting for seats in the National Assembly, comprising 4,807 male candidates, 312 female candidates, and two transgender candidates.

In addition to the national-level contests, there are 12,695 candidates vying for seats in the four provincial assemblies. This includes 12,123 male candidates, 570 female candidates, and two transgender candidates. The elections are set to fill 266 general seats in the National Assembly and 593 general seats in the provincial assemblies.

In Punjab, a key province in Pakistan, monitoring teams have been deployed to ensure adherence to the electoral code of conduct. The District Monitoring Officer of Gujrat has already taken action against several candidates for violations. Penalties have been imposed on candidates including Qaisra Elahi from PP-31 Gujrat, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir from PP-32 Gujrat, Samira Elahi, and Rana Faraz Ahmed Noon from PP-226 Lodhran, with fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 rupees.

Furthermore, District Monitoring Officers in Nankana Sahib, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin have issued notices and warnings to various candidates for potential breaches of the electoral rules.

The heightened activities and strict monitoring underline the significance of the upcoming elections in Pakistan, which are poised to be a critical juncture in the country’s democratic process.