GUJRAT: Candidates belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-i- Insaaf are approaching other candidates of like-minded parties and independents with a request to direct their polling agents to perform as ‘undercover agents’ of PTI-backed nominees.

       Well-placed sources in the local PTI ranks and rival parties have confided to Dawn the party is working on alternate strategies for the polling day in the wake of ongoing crackdown against PTI aspirants.

       Fearing PTI aspirants may not be able to set up their camps outside polling stations on the polling day, party candidates approaching other candidates, seeking their cooperation in at least getting the exact results after counting of ballots on Feb 8.

       PTI nominees in Gujrat tehsil are approaching independents as well as the nominees of PPP and JI whereas in some constituencies of Kharian tehsil, the same cooperation has been sought from independents and some PML-Q nominees.

       Sources say PTI has chalked out various plans to mobilise supporters and voters to turn up to the polling stations on the 8th.

       Currently, sources said, the major challenge was to convey election symbols of PTI-backed candidates to the voters through media campaigns. Party workers are pursuing the voters through social media apps and other channels to go straight to the polling camps of other parties before going into the polling stations to exercise their voting right.

       Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2024