Dawn reported (16 September 2002) that, according to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), 72 million are eligible to cast their votes in the forthcoming elections. It was also reported (“Over 8000, in the run,” Dawn, 17 September 2002) that according to the Election Commission of Pakistan, 8,349 candidates are contesting for 342 national and 728 provincial assembly seats. 

  Daily Times, in its editorial (“Colourless elections and a motley parliament,” 17 September 2002) observed, “The turnout is likely to be very low. The last decade has witnessed a steadily decline in voter interest. Given that trend, the uncertainty and the election machinations by the government, we are likely to see an even lower turnout.… In many ways, this is a hopeless situation, made worse by the military government’s attempts at dominating the system and further shrinking the space for the political parties. As things stand, the next parliament is unlikely to see any one party get even a simple majority.”

  Commenting on the dissatisfaction of the opposition parties with the Election Commission, The Nation, in its editorial (“Election Campaign”, 17 September 2002) warned, “If the opposition is pushed to the wall, it might decide to boycott the elections as has been indicated by some of its leaders. In case things come to such a pass it would be extremely unfortunate as it would deal a blow to the credibility of the elections. Under the circumstances the administration not only should be completely neutral but also seen to be such.”

  Dawn quoted the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and commented (HRCP casts doubts on fairness of elections,” 16 September 2002), “The HRCP is of the opinion that the post-election dispensation will further polarize society and create new difficulties in the management of state affairs.”

  Feeling that the lack of political issues and the absence of genuine crowd pullers – Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto is the main reason for the lackluster campaign, Shafqat Mahmood, former Federal Minister (“Dull campaign, unpredictable election,” The News, 20 September 2002) observes, “If the election itself is fair… (and) if the turnout is low, the Q league or the King's Party will win (in Punjab). It will have the benefit of government support and may be better organized and have a better access to transport. The name of the game in a dull campaign is the ability to take out the vote.... If the turnout is substantial, the Q league will loose in the Punjab. A higher turnout means enthusiasm and that means a vote for PPP or the PML(N).” 

  Kunwar Idris is also of the same opinion that. In his opinion (“A dull election ahead,” Dawn, 22 September 2002), “the instructions of the Election Commission to the governments banning transfers of officials have either been ignored or circumvented by holding that the transferred officials were not connected with the elections…. The commission's latest instructions to the nazimeen and the police not to interfere in the electoral process give no assurance either as the commission has no means to enforce them even if it has the will.… All factors so far point towards a low turnout at the polls on October 10. The administration and the Election Commission are making it worse by their thoughtless or biased actions. President Musharraf thus might be left to discover once again that he won the ballot but lost the election – like winning a battle but losing the war.”