PAKISTAN: Election candidates get creative in attempts to draw support for their campaign using billboards, posters, with some even hiring animals to garner more attention

Record ID: 346779

  • Title: PAKISTAN: Election candidates get creative in attempts to draw support for their campaign using billboards, posters, with some even hiring animals to garner more attention
  • Date: 6th May 2013
  • Summary: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (RECENT, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS OF PAKISTANI POLITICIAN IMRAN KHAN RIDING IN CARS PAINTED IN THE COLOURS OF HIS PARTY PAKISTAN TEHREEK-E-ISAF (PTI) VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS CHANTING: "WHO WILL SAVE PAKISTAN? IMRAN KHAN! IMRAN KHAN!" WOMAN TAKING PHOTO OF PAINTED CARS LARGE THUMBS-UP SIGNS ALONG SIDE OF ROAD SIGN READING: "DON'T LET THE WRON
  • Embargoed: 21st May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Pakistan
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Communications,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1O9UXTOWP8Z25S1HXBCFVQ9KG
  • Story Text: Pakistani general election candidates have been busy churning out posters, banners, billboards and party flags around the clock, in an effort to increase their support and chances of winning.
    Streets in Pakistan's cities are filled with huge posters and fluttering party flags, in anticipation for the May 11 elections.
    For printers they have seen an increase in business.

    "Business has perked up with more income. We have earned profits. There is lot of hustle and bustle and the marketplaces are more lively as compared to normal days. Some clients have ordered prints from us for advertisement signs and stickers, and others, huge banners," said printer, Ashraf Raja, in Pakistani capital Islamabad.
    Some young supporters of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan decked out their cars the colours of his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and chant his name as they drive through the streets.
    An Imran Khan supporter, Rana Aatif, believes colourful and interesting banners get the message across.

    "What can be better for sending out a message than visuals? This is a walking and talking election campaign. It is a way of attracting people, of starting a debate," he said.
    Advertisers at major printing markets sit with their fingers crossed. In the time leading up to the general elections, they expect to reap in a month what they usually earn during the course of a year.
    But some printers in Lahore say chronic power cuts in the city has put unnecessary stress on deadlines.

    "The workflow is there but we are unable to meet deadlines. There is a two-hour power cut after every hour. Sometimes it is a one-hour power cut after every hour. What production will we deliver? We waited for a long time for this moment after a heavy investment in this business and we thought that the problems would be solved but to no avail. There is no gas, no power, and no water, what can we do?" said printer, Tahir Riaz Meer.
    Other candidates have sought more unconventional campaign methods.
    Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), a relatively small and less known party, held a colourful camel rally in the biggest city Karachi on Saturday (May 4).
    In the city of Jhang in the Punjab province, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) hired a lion, his party's symbol, to publicize his campaign.

    "Mian Sahib (a candidate) has hired this lion for Rs, 2, 25,000 (2,250 USD). He feeds it 10 kg of food, 5 kg in the morning and 5 kg in the evening," said the unidentified lion caretaker.
    The Election Commission of Pakistan said the political parties and the candidates will be able to campaign until May 9 and polling will be held on Saturday (May 11).
    The elections are seen as a key moment in Pakistan's attempts to shake off a legacy of decades of military rule as they represent the first time a democratically elected civilian government has completed a term in office. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the man former President Pervez Musharraf ousted in a coup in 1999, is seen as the front runner.
    The military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 66-year history, through coups and from behind the scenes. It sets foreign and security policy, even when civilian administrations are in power.
    Current military commanders have meddled in politics less than their predecessors, letting civilian governments take the heat for policy failures.
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