Re: Re-emergence of PML-Q
Unlike Pakistan, in western countries analysts analyse coming election using last election voting figures, as voting figures of last election tells a lot. Normally, party in power loses votes and party not in power gain votes, especially if government performance is bad.
In 2008, BB accidental death must have given surge to PPP supports and votes. NS must also be getting sympathetic votes especially from right wing voters and religiously retards hurt by Lal Masjid incident. Most likely, both parties would lose out in coming election, as whatever happened is now thing of the past.
Pakistan election Commission not only declared number of seats different party took in 2008, they also declared number of votes different party took in each Province. Fortunately, I kept the record and I am putting them down here. As I do not have web reference, if anyone finds doubt on the figures, they can write to PEC to confirm the figures.
National Assembly results from different Provinces and vote counts in each Province (2008 general election):
Punjab (148 seats):
PML(Q): votes 6,077,092 ..... seats 29
PML(N): votes 6,026,721 ..... seats 61
PPP: .... votes 5,943,504 ..... seats 43
MMA: ....votes 44,281 ......... seats 0
MQM: ....votes 16,982 ......... seats 0
Others: ...votes 2,813,432 .... seats 14
PML(Q) obtained more votes but secured less seats than PML(N) because of tactical voting and PML(N) seat adjustment with PPP. There was some confusion in PML(Q) too as they might be thinking that next government would be of PPP (possible due to Musharraf deal with PPP) resulting in many PML(Q) strong candidates contesting election as independent. Advantage of contesting election as independent is that a candidate winning seats as independent can decide after election where candidate would stand and which party to work with.
As for PML(N), their votes were not entirely their own, as they had support of PTI, JI, most right wing parties as well as terrorist voters (Taliban and sectarian outfits based in Punjab) in 2008 election. In 2013 election PML(N) would have no support from PTI or JI (as both would be contesting election themselves). On the other hand, it looks like PML(N) has lost many of their voters to PTI (both are right wing parties) and that would affect PMLN vote banks and seats.
Like PML(N), PML(Q) is also right wing party but under Musharraf they have given a mix image. PML(Q) seen split in party and lost many elected members after 2008 election, though it seems some are coming back. I do not see any reason to believe that PML(Q) lost voters rather I believe they must have increased their vote bank. Their seat adjustment with PPP would help them too in gaining more seats, especially in Punjab, and squeezing PML(N) into extinction. Obviously, if APML (Musharraf party) would get into election arena than PML(Q) may suffer, but that only time could tell.
All I mentioned is speculative on circumstances prevailing and 2008 election figures. Only Allah can tell what really would happen and thus reality will be known only after 2013 election results.
*Vote counts in other provinces along with NA seats party won: *
SINDH (61 seats)
PPP: ..... votes 3,598,589 ...... seats 30
MQM: .... votes 2,542,993 ...... seats 19
PML(Q): .votes 1.011,621 .... seats 5
PML(F): . votes 530,505 ....... seats 5
NPP: ..... votes 185,392 ....... seats 1
PML(N): ..votes 139,674 ....... seats 0
MMA: .... votes 65,558 ......... seats 0
ANP: ..... votes 39,071 ......... seats 0
Others: .. votes 313,312 ...... seats 0
NWFP or KP (35 seats)
PPP: ...... votes 695,631 ....... seats 9
ANP: ...... votes 609,632 ...... seats 10
PML(Q): ..votes 538,837 ....... seats 5
MMA: ......votes 485,862 ....... seats 4
PML(N): ...votes 460,863 ...... seats 4
PPP(Shp): votes 140,707 ...... seats 1
MQM: ......votes 4,965 .......... seats 0
Others: ...votes 549,228 ........ seats 2
BALOCHISTAN (14 seats)
PML(Q): ..votes 317,238 ....... seats 4
PPP: .......votes 297,551 ....... seats 4
MMA: ......votes 175,840 ....... seats 2
ANP: .......votes 51,714 ......... seats 0
PML(N): ...votes 47,225 ....... seats 0
MQM: ......votes 5503 ........... seats 0
Others: ...votes 423,687 ....... seats 4
ISLAMABAD (2 seats)
PML(N): ...votes 106,962 ....... seats 2
PPP: ....... votes 71,211 ........ seats 0
PML(Q): ...votes 45,029 ......... seats 0
MMA: ...... votes 1257 ........... seats 0
MQM: .......votes 370 ............ seats 0
ANP: ........votes 62 .............. seats 0
Others: ....votes 15,113 ........ seats 0