ELECTORAL MANDATE OF PML-N: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF 1997 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Abstract

The present research article aims to shed light on the electoral mandate of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) party in the general elections of 1997. The article also attempts to discuss the crucial post-election relationship of security establishment with PML-N. The political history of PML-N started
after 1988 when it has been a component of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI). But in 1993 it was divided into two factions: one was called PML-J and other was termed as PML-N. The general elections of 1997 occupy an important position in the sense that PML-Nwon with a thumping majority. For the first time in
the electoral history of Pakistan’s National and Provincial Assemblies’ elections were held on same day. This article is an attempt to highlight the contemporary politics of religio-political slogans. However, victory of PML-N was not supplemented by religious slogans rather it was attained solely on the basis of previous performance of its leadership in power in the IJI government from 1990-1993. Research methodology of content analysis is used with some primary and secondary source. It is argued that not a single slogan based on religious emotions or feelings was raised to capture the vote bank of religious groups. Instead previous developmental projects brought the party into the realm of power after 1997 election.