LAHORE:  Imran Khan's divorce episode a day before the first phase of the local government polls and award of tickets to unsuitable candidates have inflicted serious political losses on the PTI in the first round of local elections, say the voters of different Union Councils of NA-122.

A survey conducted by The Nation yesterday to ascertain the factors behind the defeat of Imran Khan's party in the first phase of local polls came up with two major reasons which include Imran-Reham divorce issue and fielding unsuitable candidates in the elections.

The survey was conducted in the Union Council (UC) of 83, 84 Ichra, 91 Samanabad, 81 Waris Road, and 199 Shadman, which fall in the limits of NA-122.

Rabia, resident of Union Council 83 and Mr Khan’s supporter said, “Was it not good for the party that it should at least wait for the outcome of the first phase local bodies?”

Ghazala, living in the limits of UC 84 said that the news of Imran-Reham divorce a day earlier the local bodies’ elections made her and other women voters of her family so sad that they did not cast their vote.

However she added the male voters of her family used their right of adult franchise in favour of Bat or Lion.

“Imran made the wrong choice at the wrong time. Though Imran is my leader but he and Reham cost the party dearly. It would be better if they had waited for the conclusion of local bodies’ elections,” remarked Asif, resident UC 91.

“Mr Khan will always be my role model among the politicians but he made the wrong decision which made me to withdraw my support at least on October 31,” said Kiran, a resident of UC 81.

Yusuf, living in the limits of UC 199 was of the opinion that the divorce episode has demoralized a segment of the party including himself and he preferred to stay away from the electoral process.

Another group of PTI voters in the same Union Councils reserved another lesson for party’s high command to avoid crushing defeat in the future.

“Why should I vote if the candidate imposed by my party made his way into the electoral arena because of his financial position and not the party support,” remarked Zubair, resident of UC 83.

Amir, living in the limits of UC 84 sharing his opinion said, “I will never vote for a candidate who launched himself in my area few days earlier the polling.”

“Imported candidates and imported items did not last long in our part of the country and that was my reason not to vote for an alien candidate,” said Ateeka, a resident of UC 91.

Asad from UC 81 remarked the party has to face the same fate in the future elections if the leadership ignores the aspirations of the locals for fielding a candidate.

“Our defeated candidates may buy their way into race but they can’t sure their win,” said Feroz, resident of UC 199.