GHALANAI: After issuance of final list of poll candidates, different political parties and independent aspirants have expedited their election campaigns in Mohmand region amid tight security.

The workers of political parties and supporters of independent candidates can be seen carrying their election symbols and visiting different localities to seek votes. The election rallies are guarded by Levies Force.

“Self security is first. That’s why our leadership has to inform the administration before we march with our flag and election symbol,” said Saifullah, a young worker of a political party who was part of a election rally in Shaheed Banda of Pandiali tehsil.

Four Levies personnel were moving ahead of the rally while others were escorting a van.

The political parties including PTI, ANP, JI, JUI-F and PPP have sped up their election campaign to attract voters. The workers of political parties believe that party-based elections will help in development of the backward area.

Nisar Mohmand, the local leader of ANP and candidate for NA-42, said that they had constituted units at tehsil and village level in the entire area. He said that the women and youth wings of ANP were busy in election campaign.

He said that it was difficult for the local women to cast their votes in the upcoming elections as polling stations for them were set up at inappropriate places. Mohammad Saeed Khan, the local emir of JI and candidate for NA-42, said that their main activity during the election campaign was party membership.

“Thousands of people in Alingar, Sagi, Qandhrai,Ghazi Baig and Pandiali have joined JI. The workers of our party also help people to get them registered as voters,” he said. JI chief Sirjaul Haq and others leaders had addressed a number of public meetings in Mohmand.

Sajid Khan Mohmand, the leader of PTI and candidate for NA-42, said that his party started door-to-door campaign to convey the message of Imran Khan of people.

He said that workers of their party were also active on social media to attract voters.

Malik Bilal Rehman, the former MNA, has also launched his election campaign. His supporters also use social media, especially Facebook, to convince voters by sharing posts about the development projects initiated by him during the last five years.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2018