National Assembly’s seat no 55; has become one of the most heated and looked forth seat ever in any by-polls elections. The current election’s is all about changing loyalties. National Assembly (NA) – 55; comprises of half of the Rawalpindi city. These elections have become more or less like a fierce battle between Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed (Awami Muslim League). It is important to mention the history between the two parties i.e. PML (N) and Sheikh Rasheed.

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had long enjoyed the support of PML (N) and had won the elections of 1985, 88, 90, 93, 97 and 2002. Amongst all these elections except 2002 Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had the backing and prayers of PML (N) but after the coupe of 1999; somehow the other difference came between Sheikh Rasheed and PML (N); to say the least in the elections of 2002 Sheikh Rasheed repeatedly applied for the ticket of PML (N) and repeatedly he was refused; to which he stood as an Independent candidate i.e. not belonging to any party and his promise to the constituency was that he will win the elections and put this seat into the feet of PML (N)’s leader Nawaz Sharif but to utter shock Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed joined PML (Q) and became part of the cabinet. This not only infuriated PML (N) but also developed a strong animosity amongst PML (N) and Sheikh Rasheed.

At the dawn of election 2008 shocking results poured in that resulted in a major defeat to Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed; and his ego was badly hurt. He was not only beaten in his own home town by a margin of 61,200 votes but received the most shocking votes ever imagined i.e. 15,780 votes which resulted him to give up on his security deposited with Election commission of Pakistan.

Security deposited with election commission of Pakistan is the amount that the a candidate deposits before standing for elections and the security is forfeited if the candidate gets votes less than one eighth of the total number of votes casted during the elections. Continue reading »