News Analysis |
In NA 61 Rawalpindi-V, there will be neck and neck fight between (PTI) candidate Amir Mahmood Kayani and PML (N) aspirant Malik Abrar. In the past this constituency was represented by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan because he was elected four times as MNA from this area.
Following the differences of Chaudhry Nisar with Sharif brothers, Nisar’s supporters are backing Amir Mahmood Kayani who has a slight edge over Malik Abrar.
Historical Overview of NA-61
From 1977 to 2002 this constituency was known as NA-40, Rawalpindi-5. In 2002, this area has been renamed as NA-54. During the 1985 elections, held on non-party basis, Chaudhry Nisar was elected MNA for the first time. In 1988 elections, Chaudhry Nisar on the ticket of Jamat-e-Islami contested the elections against Col. Habib Ahmad of PPP.
During 2013 elections PTI and PML-N candidate fared well against each other. A similar election is expected this time round. PPP has given the ticket to an unknown person who has no influence in the area.
In 1988 elections Chaudhry Nisar defeated PPP candidate with 64186 votes, Col. Habib Khan took 57878 votes, Mohammad Akram Shah of PAT got 8669 votes in third position. Total votes cast were 131432 and turnout was 59.99 %. In 1990, the then President Ghulam Ishaque Khan has dissolved the assemblies under A. 58(2b) and announced new elections.
In 1990 elections Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan once again landed in the field from the JI plat farm. This time his rival was PPP candidate Ghulam Sarwar Khan. Chaudhry Nisar got 78530 votes and Ghulam Sarwar Khan got 63021 votes, thus Chaudhry Nisar was fortunate enough to win. 141551 total votes were cast and turnout was 62.59 %.
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In 1993 President Farooq Leghari of PPP has dismissed the government under constitutional provision of 58(2b). Thus in the 1997 elections NA-61 constituency PML (N) had awarded ticket to Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan against his PPP rival Ghulam Sarwar Khan while PTI candidate was Chaudhry Ghulam Jilani. Chaudhry Nisar Khan won the seat bagging 64186 votes, Ghulam Sarwar Khan got 57878 votes and PTI candidate Chaudhry Ghulam Jilani remained third with 3588 whereas the MQM candidate Dr. Abdul Qadir Khan got 1243 votes.
Following the elections in 1997, PML (N) secured two thirds majority from across the country. The then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif developed differences with Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf pertaining to Kargil issue. In 1999, General Musharraf staged a coup, dismissing Nawaz Sharif and took over the country holding elections in 2002 for sake of democratic process.
From 1977 to 2002 this constituency was known as NA-40, Rawalpindi-5. In 2002, this area has been renamed as NA-54. During the 1985 elections, held on non-party basis, Chaudhry Nisar was elected MNA for the first time.
He renamed NA-40 to NA-54 with Chaudhry Nisar leaving this constituency. PPP had awarded party ticket to Zammurd Khan, Raja Zafarul Haq was PML (N) aspirant and MMA’s candidate was Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui whereas, Mohammad Aijazul Haq son of former President Ziaul Haq was candidate of PML (Z). Zammurd Khan got 31491 votes defeated PML (N) candidate Raja Zafarul Haq with 28805 votes. MMA candidate Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui with 12676 votes remained third, whereas, Mohammad Aijazul Haq got 4164 votes.
Once again, 2008 was the year of elections. PML(N) gave ticket to Malik Abrar, who got 58,228 votes, PPP Zammurd Khan got 33749 votes, whereas Mohammad Basharat Raja of PML (Q) got 10400 votes remained on fourth position. And PPP formed the government and it was the first time in the history of Pakistan that the democratic government completed its tenure of five years.
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During 2013 elections PML (N) awarded ticket to Malik Abrar, PTI gave ticket to Hina Manzoor and PPP fielded Khurram Zaman whereas, Rizwan Ahmad was the aspirant from Jamat-e-Islami and elections yielded close results between PTI and PML-N. Malik Abrar was winner with 76336 votes, whereas, PTI Hina Manzoor got 68887 votes coming second, Zummard Khan got 13185 votes with third position.
Chaudhry Nisar Khan won the seat bagging 64186 votes, Ghulam Sarwar Khan got 57878 votes and PTI candidate Chaudhry Ghulam Jilani remained third with 3588 whereas the MQM candidate Dr. Abdul Qadir Khan got 1243 votes.
The 2018 Tussle between PML-N and PTI
In the 2018 elections, PML(N) gave ticket to Malik Abrar from this constituency whereas PTI awarded ticket to President of North Punjab Aamir Mahmood Kayani, and PPP has given it to Qasim Khan. The main tussle is between PML(N) Malik Abrar and PTI Aamir Mahmood Kayani and it is the native constituency of Aamir Mahmood Kayani. Ghulam Sarwar Khan, also has influence in this area. Chaudhry Nisar Khan is supporting Amir Mahmood Kayani covertly in this area. PTI candidate retains a double edge over his rival candidate.
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NA-61’s total population is 801045, and registered voters are near 390,000. Additionally, Rawalpindi Cantt area also falls within its jurisdiction, including ward No. 4 with population 40172 including ward No. 5 and ward No. 6, including rural areas of the Rawalpindi district. Making NA- 61 a vibrant constituency with voter diversity from both rural and urban areas.
During 2013 elections PTI and PML-N candidate fared well against each other. A similar election is expected this time round. PPP has given the ticket to an unknown person who has no influence in the area.