“[Voter] turnout will be low especially for women voters because of lack of security at polling stations,” says PML-N candidate. PHOTO: FILE
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.
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What we have to say now to undemocratic people like you? Election is for voting, but you are playing with election. So we should not elect our government. Election is nothing with bribe or wrongdoing behavior which our public have got in spying camera. There must be action taken to bribed one party who laughs on other parties and say bad words and opposes them, like PML-N. At last, No comments..
The Masoam shah and his men mention two things or confession of two acts no 1 they confess that they posted the police of their own choice who cares them not their opposed people like QWP president of their area who was arrested and made him involved in murder case he contested election of nazim against Baqir shah and defeated baqir shah. But now he was in jail. Involved and arrested during masoam shah Tenure of Advisor To CM. And no 2 confession, his man confess that their other ways to attract voters. We all knows that the people of KP gave masoam shah a Name SMS. Everybody body understand its meaning. So masoam will use his SMS package