GHALANAI: With the first provincial assembly elections in Mohmand tribal district just a week away, the campaign of political parties and independent candidates has gained momentum.

The candidates both nominees of political parties and independents are carrying out door-to-door visits and holding rallies both small and large to solicit votes, while their supporters and sympathisers have put up banners, posters and flags everywhere.

Youths are seen drive motorcycles in their respective areas holding flags of their parties and shouting slogans, which is something new in the history of the district. Carrying party flags and portraits of their candidates and political leaders, men march in the district’s two provincial assembly constituencies, including PK-103 and PK-104.

Unlike the 2018 National Assembly elections, the administration hasn’t deployed police or Levies personnel for the security of such rallies.

The JUI-F, PTI, ANP, PML-N, PPP and Jamaat-i-Islami have fielded candidates for PK-103 and PK-104 elections.

Samiullah, a young supporter of an independent candidate, told Dawn that security was the first and foremost thing for an election the rally, so the leadership had to inform the administration before taking out a procession or holding a public meeting.

He was part of a large rally comprising around 800 people in Mamad Gat area of Safi tehsil. Political activist Mohammad Farooq Khan said during a rally in Haleemzai area that supporters of candidates were free to canvass. The candidates and voters believed that the party-based elections would help address the region’s problems, especially backwardness and poverty.

PTI candidate for PK-104 Sajjad Mohmand said he was confident that the residents, especially youths, would vote for him. The election nomination, especially the withdrawal of tickets from Mohammad Sadiq Safi and Dr Israr Safi, has divided the ruling PTI.

Dr Mohmamad Israr Safi is contesting election as an independent candidate in PK-104, where he held a big rally.

ANP candidate for PK-103 Nisar Mohmand said the party had formed electioneering units at tehsil and village levels, while workers had been tasked with holding meetings in hujras and villages at night.

Jamaat-i-Islami candidate for PK-104 Mohammad Saeed Khan said thousands of people had joined the party in Alingar, Safi, Qandhrai and Ghazi Baig areas, while the party had held a number of public meetings. He said he was confident of election victory.

JUI-F candidate for PK-104 Amir Mohammad Arif Haqqani said his party had launched door-to-door campaign especially by engaging elders and religious scholars to drum up support for its nominees.

He said the party’s workers began election campaign on social media as well.

Mr Haqqani said he was confident that the voters would gift the PK-104 seat to the JUI-F chief. He said as MPA, he would help address the people’s problems and local disputes.

PML-N candidate for PK-104 constituency Tahir Akbar Mohmand said his party was vigorously carrying out the election campaign and was confident of winning poll.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2019