Risky business: Candidates not satisfied with security, blame Election Commission
Say their campaigns have been adversely affected by recent threats, attacks.
“[Voter] turnout will be low especially for women voters because of lack of security at polling stations,” says PML-N candidate. PHOTO: FILE
SHABQADAR:
Candidates of different political parties are complaining about the lack of security provided to them by the state.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Syed Masoom Shah, who was injured along with three others in an attack on his convoy in Charsadda last week, is planning to contest for the PK-21 seat, but laments lack of protection has put his campaign on hold for the moment.
Masoom’s brother, Syed Baqir Shah, was also injured in the attack and is currently in the hospital. While four elite police personnel are deployed at the hospital for Baqir’s protection, the state has not provided any security at his residence. Masoom’s hujra in Battagram, Shabqadar is only guarded by private security and visitors are screened via metal detectors.
“The police never officially told us about any threats,” said Baqir, blaming the Election Commission of Pakistan [ECP]for transferring certain police officials. “The old administrative officer was aware of the security situation, but his transfer seems like pre-poll rigging to keep the ANP away from campaigning,” he alleged.
“We have stopped our election campaign in the constituency out of fear of insecurity, but will start it after a proper strategy is adopted. We are already depending on corner meetings instead of public gatherings.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for the same constituency, Mushtaram Shah, agrees with Baqir. Mushtaram blamed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not providing enough security, saying he was entirely dependent on personal security guards.
“[Voter] turnout will be low especially for women voters because of lack of security at polling stations.”
Another PML-N candidate, Sajjad Khan, is contesting for the NA-8 seat. Sajjad said he stops campaigning by early evening for fear of terrorist attacks. “If the situation persists, turnout will be minimal because many candidates have not even started campaigning,” he said.
ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan’s campaign in NA-7 is being run by the ANP’s election drive in charge Qasim Muhammadzai. Asfandyar has already informed the local ECP office of the lack of security, saying it will affect his party’s position in the polls.
Inspector Zaman Khan of Shabqadar said candidates can keep five security guards for their protection, but need to give their names and details, including the weapons they carry.
Though most ANP leaders blame the ECP, party worker Advocate Khaliq Noor remains optimistic. He said they will never want the elections to be postponed, and will try to grab voters through other ways if campaigning and large gatherings become too dangerous.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.
Candidates of different political parties are complaining about the lack of security provided to them by the state.
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Syed Masoom Shah, who was injured along with three others in an attack on his convoy in Charsadda last week, is planning to contest for the PK-21 seat, but laments lack of protection has put his campaign on hold for the moment.
Masoom’s brother, Syed Baqir Shah, was also injured in the attack and is currently in the hospital. While four elite police personnel are deployed at the hospital for Baqir’s protection, the state has not provided any security at his residence. Masoom’s hujra in Battagram, Shabqadar is only guarded by private security and visitors are screened via metal detectors.
“The police never officially told us about any threats,” said Baqir, blaming the Election Commission of Pakistan [ECP]for transferring certain police officials. “The old administrative officer was aware of the security situation, but his transfer seems like pre-poll rigging to keep the ANP away from campaigning,” he alleged.
“We have stopped our election campaign in the constituency out of fear of insecurity, but will start it after a proper strategy is adopted. We are already depending on corner meetings instead of public gatherings.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for the same constituency, Mushtaram Shah, agrees with Baqir. Mushtaram blamed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not providing enough security, saying he was entirely dependent on personal security guards.
“[Voter] turnout will be low especially for women voters because of lack of security at polling stations.”
Another PML-N candidate, Sajjad Khan, is contesting for the NA-8 seat. Sajjad said he stops campaigning by early evening for fear of terrorist attacks. “If the situation persists, turnout will be minimal because many candidates have not even started campaigning,” he said.
ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan’s campaign in NA-7 is being run by the ANP’s election drive in charge Qasim Muhammadzai. Asfandyar has already informed the local ECP office of the lack of security, saying it will affect his party’s position in the polls.
Inspector Zaman Khan of Shabqadar said candidates can keep five security guards for their protection, but need to give their names and details, including the weapons they carry.
Though most ANP leaders blame the ECP, party worker Advocate Khaliq Noor remains optimistic. He said they will never want the elections to be postponed, and will try to grab voters through other ways if campaigning and large gatherings become too dangerous.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.