Today is a life-changing day for 2.8 million people of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas, who, for the first time, will use their right to franchise for 16 seats in elections for the provincial assembly. For decades, they remained voiceless, while their representatives, mostly influential clerics or tribal lords, elected for National Assembly and Senate seats, hardly raised their concerns at the forums concerned. The merger of the tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province opens up a new chapter of constitutional rights and development to former seven FATA agencies. Earlier, the area remained under the horrible Frontier Crimes Regulation – a colonial-era law – which denied rights and opportunities to the local population. Decades-old traditions and jirgas would often come up with draconian rulings while the political agent’s word could not be challenged anywhere. The political mainstreaming of the tribal people will take time. The area remained at the forefront of war on terror for over a decade and suffered huge losses in the wake of 9/11. The area has still chunks of no-go areas and lawless elements still have their hideouts and networks of sympathisers. The electioneering remained lackluster as most of the top political leadership of the country, among them Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, were not allowed political rallies in the constituencies. Law and order might be a plausible reason behind the denial to leaders, as elections were also earlier postponed because of the security situation. Despite these concerns, the candidates and electorates have put up a brave face and will exhibit the power of ballot at the polling stations. The areas where polling will be held today hardly grant the right of vote to women. In today’s elections, no one should expect much in terms of women’s turnout at the polling stations. Of 285 candidates, only there are two women candidates taking part in the elections and have challenged the male-dominated society of the tribesmen. Will the election results have some upsets too? Ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf candidates are likely to have an edge over the candidates of other parties. They are being challenged by the candidates of the PPP, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Awami National Party besides some independent faces, backed by the new force – Pashtun Tahafuz Movement. It is hoped the elections will bring about a visible change in the areas in terms of development, job opportunities and help end militancy. We wish a peaceful day in the election areas. *