MANSEHRA: The district returning officer has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to change eight returning officers as they can influence the results of May 30 local government elections in Mansehra.

Sources said that Aamer Khattak, the district returning officer, dispatched a letter to PEC, seeking immediate change of eight returning officers, who were local residents and could influence results of the polls, out of the total 23 in the district.

Mr Khattak also mentioned in the latter that complaints of favouritism were also lodged against those returning officers in allotment of symbols to the candidates in their respective union councils.

Sources said that some of them, whom the district returning officer wanted to be changed, couldn’t submit the final lists of contenders timely. The district returning officer also changed many polling stations, which according to official sources, were set up by influential people for rigging the elections.

The district administration has also finalised preparations for the May 30 local government elections and a total of 780 polling stations have been set up in the district where people of 59 union councils/wards would exercise their right of vote for electing members of district, three tehsils and 194 village and neighbourhood councils.

Besides men contenders, women candidates are also visiting door-to-door to seek votes in their respective union councils/wards.

“For the first I witnessed that women family members of supporters of contenders were also visiting door-to-door for canvassing and seeking votes for the candidates,” said Mohammad Ajmal, a local resident.

IMRAN’S VISIT: PTI chairman Imran Khan will visit Hazara on Tuesday to address public meetings in Mansehra and Battagram.

He will first address a public meeting in Battagram at about 12am and then address a public meeting in Mansehra at Thakra stadium ground at about 2pm.

The PTI chairman will later flay to Abbottabad and would address a public meeting there at about 3pm.

The preparation for Mr Khan’s visit to Mansehra and Battagram are being finalised and stage has been set up at Thakra stadium. Announcements about Mr Khan’s visit are also made through loudspeakers.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and central emir of Jammat-i-Islami Sirajul Haq will also visit the area probably this week.

The PTI has fielded candidates in 59 wards of the district and same number of wards in three tehsils of Mansehra, Balakot and Oghi.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play