MARDAN, Aug 4: Contesting panels of union councils in Kohi Barmol, Shamozai, Babozai, Mian Khan and Sangao have urged the acting chief election commissioner to prevent the provincial irrigation minister from interfering in the election process.

Various groups led by Haq Nawaz Khan and Rahim Khan of Kohi Barmol accused the provincial irrigation minister, Hafiz Akhtar Ali, of violating the Election Commission’s directives and trying to use his influence in determining the course of the election.

They alleged that Mr Akhtar Ali had announced “both authentic and bogus schemes and projects in his constituency and had swayed people from various union councils in Mian Khan, Sangao, Kohi Barmol, Babozai, Shamzai and Katlang”.

They claimed that the minister was using government machinery to carry out canvassing for his candidates and luring people with announcements of building transformers, electricity poles, streets and Janazgahs, and supplying drinking water schemes.

The Election Commission has prohibited officials and ministers from throwing their weight around in the election process.

Candidates of various UCs led by Haqnawaz Khan and Rahim Khan, a panel of Kohi Barmol, claimed that they had filed a complaint with the chief election commissioner against the provincial minister. They warned that the minister’s moves would create a serious conflict in these UCs.

They appealed to the chief election commissioner to take notice of the minister’s interference in the election process in these UCs and urged the CEC to restrain him.

Meanwhile, Shujaul Mulk of Jamiatul-Ulemi-i-Islam (F), while addressing a gathering at Hoti here, announced projects worth more than three million including construction of Gudar road, availability of drinking water pipeline, two transformers and streetlights at Allahdad Khel Hoti.

Mr Mulk said that the MMA government would leave no stone unturned in serving the people and asked voters to elect its candidates in the upcoming local government election.

Mr Mulk is an aspirant for the post of district nazim of Mardan.