DARA ADAMKHEL, Dec 26: The local Taliban brought down billboards, posters and banners of all candidates for the NA-47, tribal territory-12 seat, on Wednesday and warned of ‘dire consequences’ if these are put up again.
The Taliban took the step on the directive of their ‘high command’, claiming that it was needed to prevent clashes among supporters of the candidates over sites for displaying election material.
The government has no writ in the area. The candidates, all of them independent, too are relying on them for ensuring peaceful polls. Radio is the only source of information for the people of the area because of a Taliban ban on TV, dish antenna and cable network.
The NA-47, Dara Adamkhel constituency comprises parts of the Frontier Region Kohat, Peshawar, Bannu, Lakkai, Tank, and Frontier Region areas of Dera Ismail Khan. The candidates in the run include: Dr Nasim, Malak Haji Baz Gul, Noor Zaman Khan, Sardar Nawaz Astwana, Ashfaq Bettani and M. Musharraf Khan.