Campaigning is underway in Pakistan for a general election set for February 8th.

The party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif officially began its election campaign on Monday.
At a rally in the eastern province of Punjab, Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz asked people to vote for candidates of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

"The more people vote for our party, the more gas will reach their homes, and their electricity bills will go down quickly." Maryam Nawaz is Senior Vice President of the PMLN.

Sharif's main rival, former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains in jail after being convicted of corruption. The former cricket star is popular with young people and low-income workers. But his party is facing a campaign roadblock.

The Election Commission is refusing to allow Khan's party to use its election symbol, a cricket bat.
Supporters for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party are voicing opposition to the move, saying it could affect the election outcome.
People in Pakistan vote by marking a ballot which has the symbol of the party printed beside the candidate's name.