PESHAWAR, April 24: The Awami National Party has demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and caretaker government to establish polling stations in Buner district in consultation with candidates otherwise they both will be held responsible for any mishap on the election day.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the ANP said that one of the candidates had approached the district returning officers for NA-28 and PK-77, Buner, and made requests for announcing establishment of polling stations at safe places, but to no avail.

It stated that PK-77 and NA-28 were declared the most sensitive constituencies where main target was the ANP stalwarts and candidates, but the relevant officials instead of providing them protection had asked them to stop holding election rallies and corner meetings.

The frequent threats, it said, had affected the election campaign, and even could cause low turnout on May 11.

In this respect, ANP candidate from PK-77 Sardar Hussain Babak through a written application asked the authorities concerned for reconsidering decisions concerning at least 129 polling stations in the constituency.

He said that some of these polling stations had been merged whereas others placed at quite a distance from the electorates. He said that despite presence of high and middle schools, two polling stations in his native village were established in a two-room primary school. He said that the school was located on main road, and as such very vulnerable.

Mr Babak said that in Totalai town almost all polling stations were established in far-flung areas which could confuse electorates. In one primary school, two combined polling stations were opened for both male and female voters.

He called upon the chief election commissioner, district returning officer, Buner, and returning officer for PK-77 for early review of the decision concerning picking locations for setting up the polling stations.