OKARA, Jan 6: Over 700 lawyers of the district bar association (DBA) will elect their office bearers for the year 2007 on Jan 13. Earlier, two office bearers have been elected unopposed whereas for the remaining six slots, 12 candidates are in the run.

Even though two traditional rival groups are in the run, several newly emerged groups are to play as deciders.

A tough contest is expected between the Arain group, led by Ikramul Haq, and the Rajput group, led by Kanwar Saeed Ahmad Khan.

The Arain group’s candidate for president is Malik Maqbool Hussain Shakir while the Rajput group has fielded Akhtar Hussain Bhatti for president office.

Rana Muhammad Hanif and Ulfat Jabeen from the Rajput group have been elected unopposed as auditor and finance secretary.

Groups like Young Lawyers, Lawyers’ Alliance, United Group, Solo Group and Haq Group will play a role in any group’s victory.