PK-95 by-polls: JI leaders protest in Timergara, Mardan

Party workers claim NGOs are creating hurdles in announcement of results

TIMERGARA/MARDAN: Jamaat-e-Islami activists took to the streets in Timergara and Mardan on Friday over the Election Commission of Pakistan’s failure to announce the results of by-polls in PK-95, Lower Dir-II. They also threatened to hold country-wide protests if their demands are not met.

A large number of workers and activists gathered at the JI headquarters and marched through the streets holding party flags. They criticised ECP for delaying the release of the results. JI Lower Dir chief Izazul Mulk Afkari, along with other party leaders, participated in the demonstration.

“Members of international NGOs are creating hurdles for ECP to release the results,” one of the protesters said.

Participants urged ECP to immediately announce the results. JI leaders also held a protest outside Mardan Press Club over delays in the announcement of results for the by-polls. Participants claimed the JI Lower Dir chief had won the elections.

However, losing parties have joined hands with international NGOs to have the results delayed. In the 2013 general elections, JI chief Sirajul Haq contested for the PK-95 seat and defeated ANP candidate and former provincial minister Hidayatullah by 12,000 votes. Siraj vacated the seat when he won a Senate berth earlier this year. As a result, the PK-95 seat fell vacant.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^th, 2015.