Parties step up campaigns for K-P local govt elections

As the local government elections are only seven days away in 17 districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the mainstream political and religious parties accelerated campaigns for their respective candidates. In Peshawar, a tough contest is expected between PTI, PPP, ANP, JI, and JUI-F besides independent candidates for the seat of mayor, tehsils and general councilor seats. Most of these political parties have awarded tickets to inexperienced youths for the mayor seat but local bodies’ elections are considered training for the future politicians.

PTI has awarded ticket to Rizwan Bangash who is relatively a new face in the politics in the city. As ruling party, PTI has a large vote bank in Peshawar as all the national assembly seats in the last general elections were clinched by the party and it is expected to benefit its candidates greately. JUI-F has fielded Zubair Ali son of former senator and District Nazim Peshawar Ghulam Ali who is also a new face in political circles of Peshawar and he is eying mostly the religious vote bank. Behrullah Khan, a candidate of JI for mayor posts, is already busy in the election campaign and corner meetings.

Political observers are of the opinion that separate candidates by JUIF and JI may split vote banks of the religious parties and benefit candidates of others political parties. Arbab Zarak Khan has been fielded by PPP as his party once had a substantial vote bank in Peshawar City but tough contest is expected for the seat of mayor in Peshawar. ANP has awarded ticket to Sher Rehman who is expected to take all the nationalist votes and has the ability to surprise many.

Electioneering has been in full swing in 17 districts of the province as candidates have launched a door to door campaign. “I have served my voters in the best of my abilities in the past and would try to deliver if elected once again,” said Bahadar Khan, a candidate for general councilor, Dheri Mian Ishaq, Nowshera.