ISLAMABAD: The Islami I am hoori Ittehad, led by Punjab strongman, Nawaz Sharif, will have a clear 10% edge over the people’s Democratic Alliance spearheaded by the Pakistan People’s Party in the forthcoming national assembly and provincial elections, according to an opinion poll conducted by gall up Pakistan.
The poll has forecast that the IJI will be able to form the govt both at the centre and in three provinces, the exception being Sinfh which is likely to be retained by the PPP.
Significantly, 20% of the adult population whose opinion was sought, said they had not yet decided whom to vote for in the national assembly elections on October 24 and the provincial assemblies on Oct 27.
About the dissolution of the assemblies, the poll indicated that 55% of the adult population approved president Ghulam Ishaq Khan’s decision while 31 opposed it. The remaining preferred not express any opinion.
On the issue of accountability, 44% of the voters said it could be done through the ballot while 46% favoured it through the courts. While 10% gave no view.
Thirty four per cent of those interviewed ruled out another IndoPak war and possible postponement of elections, while 10% still feared a confrontation. About the probability of imposition of martial law, the polls indicated that 32% saw “no chance” of it while 29″ said “high chance” and 28 offered no opinion.
The poll predicted reversal of the position of strength of the dissolved national assembly, with the IJI forming the federal govt and the PPP becoming a strong opposition.
Meanwhile, the deposed premier, Benazir Bhutto, suffered a major setback Sunday when the Lahore high court held that President Khan’s decision to dissolve the national assembly and sack her govt was valid.
Bhutto had pinned her hopes on a favourable verdict from the court to vindicate her stand that Mr Ishaq Khan’s action was arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional.
A constitution bench of the high court said the president was justified to form an opinion that the govt of the federation could not be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and an appeal to the electorate was necessary.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 19, 1990
