FATA polls: Residents in tribal areas vote despite terror threats

In Bajaur, both men and women voted in favour of independent candidate Badam Zari.

KHAR/ KALAYA/ BARA/ GHALLANAI/ SADDA:

Despite fears of large-scale terror attacks, polling was conducted in good spirits across the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on Saturday. There were, however, a few mishaps.

Bajaur was the most peaceful agency as far as the polls were concerned. No violence was reported from the agency and a large number of women turned up to cast their ballots. Badam Zari, the first female independent candidate from NA-44, received votes from both men and women.

Kurram Agency, haunted by a series of militant attacks in recent days, remained peaceful during the polling day and also witnessed a large number of women participating. Minor issues were reported between candidates who blamed each other for rigging polls in Parachinar, Luqman Khel and Nurak.

Khyber Agency also remained peaceful on the day of the polling. In one incident of election-related violence, Awami National Party supporters opened fire in the limits of Sado Khel’s polling station, allegedly blaming an independent candidate’s supporters for rigging the polls. No loss of life was reported though.

In another incident, supporters of former MNA Hameedullah Jan from NA-46 opened fire at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists in Shah Kas area of Jamrud, injuring three people including PTI candidate Iqbal Afridi’s son.

The internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Bara residing in the Jalozai camp suffered from much mismanagement on the part of the political administration.

In Mohmand Agency’s NA-36, the overall security situation remained positive. Similarly, in Orakzai, security forces remained in control of polling stations for NA-39, while polling continued for NA-16 in Hangu till 8:00pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2013.