At the St. Patrick polling station on main Murree Road, Rawalpindi, a turnout of 70 per cent indicates how the general public has been responding to the calls of their preferred parties and candidates.

Outside, families and youngsters gathered, creating a party atmosphere. A majority of those turning up to vote are supporting Imran Khan who is up in arms here — NA-56 — against Hanif Abbasi of PML-N.

In the 2008 general election, the results were visible on the streets even before the polls closed. The PML-N tigers were everywhere on the streets and Sheikh Rashid’s supporters were nowhere to be seen.

This time the situation has taken a visibly dramatic turn. The nexus between Rashid and PTI must have made the PML-N leaders sweat.

Across NA-56 and NA-55, PTI supporters have put up a great display of power. Young boys and girls having their faces painted with PTI flags surprised PML-N’s traditional supporters.

“This is unprecedented. I think history is going to repeat itself. We may have1970-like results,” commented Waseem Ahmed, a PTI supporter.

Throughout Rawalpindi, the polling remained peaceful with few sporadic incidents of scuffles.

For families it was a fun time. Excited children accompanied their parents to polling stations. Outside the polling stations were hawkers selling ice-cream and other sweets, much to the excitement of the young supporters.

A source in PML-N said the party’s top leadership was upset to witness PTI supporters. The source moreover revealed that Nawaz Sharif had scolded some of his aides for the surprisingly impressive performance by PTI.