MANSEHRA: As many as 640 women contenders have submitted nomination papers for the upcoming local government elections in the district.

It is the highest number of nomination papers submitted by women candidates for any election in the district. “We have received 545 nomination papers of women for village and neighbour councils and 95 for district and tehsil councils of the district,” Zulfiqar Ahmad, the assistant election commissioner, told journalists on Wednesday.

The scrutiny of nomination papers is in progress in the district and list of contenders with symbols would be made public on April 26.

According to official documents, a total of 6,014 contenders have submitted nomination papers for the polls. About 85 per cent contenders have submitted nomination papers for the non-party elections for village and neighbourhood councils in the district.

A total of 2,609 contenders have submitted nomination papers for general seats, 545 women for reserved seats and 1,002 for peasant seats, 955 for the seats reserved for youth and five for minorities’ seats in the 194 village and neighbourhood councils of district.

85 pc candidates have submitted papers for village and neighbourhood councils

A total of 417 contenders have applied for general seats in the district council and 481 for three tehsils of the district including Mansehra, Balakot and Oghi.

As many as 43 women contenders have submitted nomination papers for reserved seats in the district and 29 for reserved seats in Mansehra tehsil, 11 for reserved seats in Balakot tehsil and 12 for reserved seats in Oghi tehsil.

The electioneering has gained momentum as contenders and their supporters have been visiting door-to-door to meet voters. In many wards, family members are also opposing each other.

TRIBUNAL: The election tribunal has disposed of the appeal of PTI provincial president Azam Khan Swati for recounting of votes and verification of thumb impressions in NA-20 Mansehra 1.

PTI has decided to challenge the verdict and take the case to the judicial commission, which has been constituted on its demand to probe the alleged poll-rigging.

Mr Swati had moved the election tribunal after 2013 general elections in the country, demanding recounting of votes at 24 polling stations. He alleged that his rival Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, now minister for religious affairs, rigged the elections at those polling stations in the constituency.

Sardar Mohammad Yousuf had secured 106,000 votes and Mr Swati got 73,000 votes in the elections.

Shafat Ali, the district president of PTI, while expressing reservations over the verdict said that the party had decided to challenge the decision. He said that Mr Swati had sought rechecking of votes which according to him were fakes.

Mr Ali said that besides challenging the decision of the tribunal, they would also take the case to the judicial commission. The supporters of Sardar Mohammad Yousuf in various villages and towns celebrated the decision of the tribunal.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2015

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