HARIPUR: The PakhtunDigital survey of NA-18 Haripur by-election that predicted a heavy blow to PTI in the constituency seems to have been confirmed by the election results.
Where results for 500 of 602 polling stations have been counted, Babar Nawaz Khan, the PML-N candidate, is reportedly holding a solid and overwhelming lead over Sherharnaz Omar Ayub, an independent candidate supported by the PTI. The figures stood as a testament to the survey that had accurately gauged the voter sentiment in the area.
The PML-N’s dominance of the Haripur area could mean a change of the electorate’s mind and a hard challenge for the PTI in the district, according to the political experts. The counting of votes is still underway in the remaining polling stations, and the office of the Returning Officer will be verifying all the Form-45 entries before the official announcement of the results.
Workers of both parties are thus involved in the scrutiny of ballots, while police forces are also at the disposal for the maintenance of order in the RO office. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), however, is yet to declare any official results.
Ahead of the NA-18 Haripur by-election, PakhtunDigital organized a public opinion survey to understand voter sentiment and estimate the winning candidate.
The survey outcome pointed out clearly that the public was heavily against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and voters expected the party to lose the election despite being active in the area. The by-election results confirmed these predictions.
PakhtunDigital reports that voters indicated that they were fed up with the PTI government which had been in power in the province for 15 years and said that most of the promises made during this period had gone unfulfilled and expectations of the people were not met. Now, the electorate has made it clear that they want a change.
While regional issues were at the centre of attention in PakhtunDigital’s survey, the organization also intended to provide the public at the international level with up-to-date information and optimistic news. It was the organization leading in research and reporting during the by-election, thus offering data-driven insights into voter behaviour and electoral trends.
PakhtunDigital points out that the organization’s goal is not only to be the voice of the Pashtun people, but also to produce honest and accountable journalism that benefits the public. The by-election and the survey that came along with it are a clear example of how public opinion and responsible media reporting can influence the results of an election.
