LAKKI MARWAT/NOWSHERA: Election candidates and activists of political parties on Monday demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to reschedule the re-polling date keeping in view the fasting month and severe hot weather. The ECP has announced to hold re-polling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 5, which falls in Ramazan.

Talking to Dawn, Habibur Rehman, a candidate of district council seat from Eesakkhel ward of Lakki Marwat district, said the ECP should change the date for re polling taking into account the month of Ramazan and hot weather.

“It will be a very difficult for poll aspirants to run election campaign in the fasting month,” he maintained.

Local PTI leaders Saleem Nawaz and Farmanullah said the re-polling date wasn’t changed then it would badly impact the turnout because many voters would prefer to stay at homes due to sizzling heat and fasting.

JUI-F district general secretary Maulana Samiullah Mujahid and information secretary Maulana Abdul Wakil asked the ECP to reconsider its decision in the best interest of area people. “In this unbearable heat and Ramazan people won’t come out of their homes to cast vote,” they claimed.

Meanwhile, according to a local official, re-polling will take place on eight polling stations in Lakki district where polling process was marred on May 30.

The official wishing not to be named said Lakki district returning officer had recommended to the ECP for re-polling on these polling stations as there were complaints about snatching of ballot boxes, damaging ballot papers, torturing of polling staff and missing of symbols of contesting candidates on the polling day.

The official said 4,116 male and 4,476 female voters would use the right of franchise during the re-polling for which 13 male and 16 female booths would be established in the eight polling stations.

In Nowshera, the tripartite alliance comprising JUI-F, PPP and ANP would take next line of action in case the ECP didn’t take into account their demand of postponing the LG re-polling after Eidul Fitr. Talking to Dawn on Monday, JUI-F district emir said the alliance had asked the ECP to arrange re-polling on 89 polling stations in Nowshera after the fasting month.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2015

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