LANDI KOTAL: A welfare organisation in Landi Kotal has launched a signature campaignto persuade the voters to boycott the general elections over shortage of drinking water in the area.

The members of Landi Kotal Falahi Tanzeem (LFT) have so far obtained nearly 2,000 signatures from the registered voters during the first three days of their campaign, which was started on July 10.

They also ask the signatories to pledge that they will not poll vote if the candidates failed to fulfil their demand of provision of drinking water before July 25.

Provision of drinking water, end to power outages demanded

The organisation has established a booth in Landi Kotal Bazaar. The local people visit the booth to put their signatures on a register placed there.

The residents of the area also put their signatures on a banner inscribed with the slogan “Pani do Vote Lo” (provide water, get vote) that is carried by the LFT in the residential areas of Landi Kotal.

“The response of people is very encouraging as they believe that both our demand is legitimate,” LFT chairman Banaras Khan told Dawn.

He added that acute shortage of water and excessive loadshedding of electricity were the two striking issues confronted by the local people residing in NA-43.

He said that around 250 young volunteers carried out the signature campaign on daily basis. “Unexpectedly, the response of local women is very encouraging as they are affected by both water shortage and frequent power suspensions,” he added.

Mr Khan said that the campaign would continue till July 24 and his organisation had set a target of 10,000 signatures. “The signatories themselves assure us that they will not poll vote till fulfillment of our demands,” he added.

He said that several candidates approached them for suspension of their campaign and offered them ‘all types’ of personal favours for doing so.

Akhtar Ali, the president of LFT, told Dawn that the volunteers were also using social media for the campaign and regularly updated their Facebook page.

Khyber Youth Organisation has also announced to support LFT signature campaign and boycott the elections.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2018