LG candidates in Shabqadar protest over electoral symbols

Candidates from JI, PTI, ANP threatened to boycott elections if their symbols were not changed

SHABQADAR: Independent candidates for the local bodies’ elections took to the streets of Shabqadar, Charsadda on Thursday over the allotment of ‘objectionable’ electoral symbols.

A large number of candidates for general councillor seats blocked Peshawar Road and held a protest outside the municipal committee office in Shabqadar. The protest was led by Asadullah Khan, an independent candidate from Katozai union council.

During the protest, candidates from various political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Awami National Party, vehemently denounced the Election Commission of Pakistan for allotting candidates symbols such as bottles and violins which are “unacceptable” to them.

They threatened to boycott elections if their symbols were not changed. The protest ended after Shabqadar Assistant Commissioner Abdul Haseeb met the candidates and assured them he will ask the ECP to change their symbols.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Haseeb said some symbols possibly came across as objectionable as they do not relate to Pukhtun society.