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An overwhelming number of political activists are contesting the local government elections in the capital as independents.
Disputes within various political parties and local interests are seen as the main reasons behind large number of independent candidates contesting the November 30 polls.
The figures released by the election commission put the number of independents at 972 out of 2,407 candidates, making up 40 per cent of the total candidates. Remaining 1,435 candidates are vying for votes on the ticket of 24 political parties.
In order of highest number of candidates fielded by various political parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) takes the lead with 506 contestants, followed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) 479; Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) 164, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) 81, Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Pakistan (TTP) led by nuclear scientist Dr A Q Khan, 66, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) 24, National Party 16, Awami Workers Party (AWP) 15, Pakistan Muslim League-Q 12.
Smaller parties such as Aam Aadmi Party, Quomi Awami Tehreek and others have also fielded their candidates in some UCs.
PML-N
In 14 UCs out of a total of 50, the party has fielded complete panel of 12 candidates for slots of chairman/vice chairman, six general councilors, two women councillors, and one councilor each representing youth, non-Muslims and workers.
Moreover, over 10 contestants each will be contesting on PML-N ticket in 24 UCs. The PML-N has not awarded tickets only in UC-48 (Sarai Kharbooza) due to dispute between party workers.
In the remaining 11 UCs, the PML-N has entered seat adjustment agreements with various other political parties and independents.
PTI
The PTI has fielded complete panels of candidates in 14 UCs. In 21 UCs, the party has fielded over 10 candidates each. The PTI has not awarded tickets to candidates in the UCs 3 and 4 representing the areas of Malpur and Sihala, due to differences among party workers. The PTI currently holds one of the National Assembly constituencies of NA-48.
PPP
Poor party performance in the last general elections in the two constituencies of the capital as well as lack of interest in the upcoming polls by the PPP’s central leadership has compelled a number of activists and local leaders to contest as independents.
The party, which has traditionally enjoyed a strong presence across the country, appears disenchanted in the current LG polls. Not a single candidate has been fielded by the party in 31 UCs.
The leading opposition party in the National Assembly has also failed to field a complete panel in any of the 50 UCs.
The UC-35 consisting of G-9/2 appears to by the party’s stronghold as it has fielded a strong panel of 10 candidates including chairman/vice-chairman from the constituency.
JI
The religio-political party has not fielded any candidate in 19 UCs. It has fielded a complete panel in just UC-38 (G-11).
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2015.
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