DERA ISMAIL KHAN, June 16: A close contest is expected in the PF-66 Dera Ismail Khan by-elections tomorrow (Saturday). The seat became vacant on the death of Sardar Inayatullah Khan Gandapur. The contestants include former provincial minister Sanaullah Khan Miankhel (PML-Q), Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman’s younger brother Maulana Lutf-ur-Rehman (MMA), Sardar Inayatullah Khan Gandapur’s son Sardar Ikramullah Khan Gandapur (Independent), former provincial general secretary of the banned religious organization, Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, Abdur Rauf Baloch and Ghazanfar Alizai (PPPP).

Senior leaders of different political parties and federal and provincial ministers are directly running campaigns for their candidates.

Chief Minister NFWP Akram Khan Durrani joined the campaign of MMA candidate on Wednesday and held public meetings at different areas of the constituency.

Despite restrictions imposed by the Pakistan Election Commission ministers announced development packages for the area in support of their respective candidates.

There are 81,566 voters in the constituency of whom 46,373 are male and 35,193 female.

A total of 87 polling stations were set up in the last elections and the Turnout was 39.37 percent.

Late Sardar Inayatullah Gandapur was elected by 11,929 voters whereas his close rival Sanaullah Khan Miankhel had obtained 10,832 votes. MMA candidate Inam Khan Dhap had bagged just 5160 votes.

According to public and political circles, divide in the voters may result in equal opportunities for all the contesting candidates but Sardar Ikramullah Gandapur had a slight edge over the others.

Senator Waqar Ahmad Khan is supporting Ikram Gandapur which has created a sort of unrest among PPP workers. It is also stated by political observers that divide in religious vote-bank might give benefit to other candidates.

Political circles have termed the bye-elections a challenge for MMA as it has become a question of honour for them. They said whoever wins, the results would directly affect the MMA politics in the province.

Some political pundits even see Maulana Lutf-ur-Rehman as future chief minister if he is elected, but the JUI-F leaders have dispelled this impression.