MARDAN, Jan 12: Democratic Lawyers Front swept the district bar elections here on Saturday with Iqbal Khan Hoti being elected president for the third time.

The DLF, an alliance of the National Lawyers Forum, People’s Lawyers Forum (Sherpao) and Islamic Lawyers Forum, had fielded candidates against the rival Muttahida Wokala Forum  (MWF) representing lawyers affiliated with the PPP and independent lawyers.

Iqbal Hoti, affiliated with the PPP (Sherpao) received 212 votes against his rival Alam Khan who trailed behind with 115 votes.  Fazli Malik Mohmand, was the only  exception  and consolation for the MWF, who became the vice-president, receiving 163 votes against his rival Jehanzeb Toru, who bagged 155 votes.

Abdul Hamid Khan, who contested for the office of general secretary, received 215 votes and defeated Ijaz Khan, who could muster 99 votes. Aqil Khan of the DLF was elected finance secretary with 188 votes against his rival Mukamil Shah’s 105 votes. Gulzar Khan was elected as joint secretary by receiving 148 votes defeating his rival Nisar Khan Yousafzai who could get 118 votes.

Iqbal Hoti has remained the president of Mardan Bar in 1999 and 2000. Shehzad Gul Bacha was the chairman of the election committee. In all 350 votes were polled.