SWABI, April 20: Most of the independent candidates contesting election for two National Assembly seats and six provincial assembly seats in the district believe they can defeat nominees of political parties in May 11 general election.

According to final list issued by the returning officers, a total of 112 candidates, including 48 independents, would contest on these seats.

During their campaign the independents rejected the claim of politicians that the real contest would be among the party ticket- holders. They said that the political parties had always ignored honest people and awarded tickets to affluent candidates.

“People are now aware of the hypocrisy of politicians and their parties,” said Shahid Ahmad, an independent candidate from NA-12, Swabi-II.

Sources in the returning officer offices said that total 204 candidates had submitted nomination papers for the National Assembly and provincial assembly constituencies in the district and after completion of withdrawal process only 112 candidates were now in the field.

Most of the independent candidates are those who have revolted against their own parties’ decision on award of tickets.

“My main priority is to weaken the position of the party candidate because the leadership of the party has ignored us,” said Fazal Rahim, an independent candidate from PK-35, Swabi-V. —Correspondent