MARDAN, July 25: People of Shamozai, Babozai and Kohi Barmol union councils (UCs) have alleged that a provincial minister is interfering in election process in their area despite a government announcement that ministers will not influence the local body elections. A group of area people, led by social worker and political activist Shuaib Khan, while talking to journalists here, alleged that the minister was openly interfering in election process and influencing the UC elections.

They said that the minister had accompanied his candidates during their visits to the offices of the returning officers to file nomination papers and announced development schemes in various UCs, particularly Shamozai, Babozai and Kohi Barmol. They said that this was despite an announcement by the National Reconstruction Bureau that the provincial government would not be allowed to interfere in or influence the elections.

They called on the authorities concerned to stop the minister from interfering in the election process and demanded that the development schemes should also be suspended till the elections were held.