Close contest expected between PML-N and PTI in by-polls
PHOTO: AFP
All arrangements have been completed for by-elections in the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Ward-II with election campaign by candidates reaching its peak.
Elections in RCB Ward-II had been postponed after the death of a female candidate.
A close contest is expected between Zainul Abidin Ijaz of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Tahir Ayub of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Among the independent candidates, former JUI-F district leader Qari Qasim is also a strong candidate in Ward-II. Polling in Ward-II will be held on February 9. PML-N Rawalpindi Divisional President Malik Ibrahim is pushing hard for the success of Malik Tahir Ayub.
Malik Abrar also held a grand jirga in Gawalmandi to convince Shaukat Butt, another strong candidate in Ward-II, to favour Tahir Ayub. Shaukat Butt expressed strong reservations over the distribution of party tickets, while the locals expressed their displeasure for not giving Butt the party ticket. Malik Abrar assured the people of the area that all their basic issues would be resolved. After the assurance, a large number of angry PML-N workers have also started running election campaigns in favour of Malik Tahir Ayub.
PML-N female leader Mumtaz Malik has been given the task of convincing women voters in Ward-II. Meanwhile, Malik Tahir Ayub is trying his best to mobilise voters by holding public meetings and assuring voters that if elected, he will bring tax relief to the people.
On the other hand, PTI candidate Zainul Abidin Ejaz has the support of PTI MPA Omar Tanveer Butt, former Federal Minister Amir Kayani and Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat. With the help of MPA Omar Tanveer Butt and MNA Amir Kayani, Zain Ejaz is spending a lot of money fixing street lights and sewerage lines.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2022.