ANP’s majority in Swabi at risk

District returning officer orders re-election in four UCs.

SWABI: Awami National Party’s recently acquired majority in Swabi is under threat after the district returning officer ordered re-elections in four more union councils. The re-polling was ordered for both tehsil and district councillor seats.

Officials of the election commission also confirmed re-elections in four UCs where ANP had emerged victorious.

Results of three other UCs have also been withheld due to skirmishes and clashes between political parties as well as allegations of rigging. The ANP was in a stronger position than its rivals in the three UCs.

Authorities failed to announce results of local government elections held on May 30 due to rigging allegations, an official confirmed. The DRO announced withholding results in seven of the 56 UCs. Other officials said objections and complaints are still being filed; therefore, it is likely the DC will shortly announce re-polling in several other UCs.

According to officials, re-elections have been announced in Thand Koyee, Gabasni, Naranji and Sodhere UCs. Similar rigging allegations were filed and are under consideration for Sheikh Jana UC which was clinched by a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate.

Meanwhile, Abdul Razzaq, a district councilor elected from Gabasni UC as an independent, announced he would be joining ANP. He announced the decision at a meeting held in the hujra of Said Ghulam in Palas Kalay. The meeting was attended by ANP Swabi President Amir Rahman and General Secretary Muhammad Islam Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2015.