VEHARI, Oct 3: The ruling party and the opposition have reportedly shifted a large number of councillors to undisclosed places to ensure that they don’t change their loyalties during polling for tehsil and district nazim’s office.

It is also learnt that the councillors were asked to take oath that they would not switch sides on Oct 6.

Meanwhile, some councillors elected independently have formed pressure groups in various union councils to earn money.

A member of two major groups led by Nasim Shah and Mumtaz Khichi said on condition of anonymity that they would extend support to the candidates of tehsil and district nazims who would pay them handsomely.

He claimed that a tehsil nazim candidate for Vehari had offered him Rs50,000 per councillor.

According to a source, the rate of councillors is increasing day by day.

A councillor who sold his vote for Rs30,000 defended his decision. “I will improve my living standard by purchasing a motorcycle. I know there will be nothing for me in future, therefore, I have encashed myself at the right time.”

He said the candidates were seen offering meals to their voters. Maximum bid for a vote of councillor went up Rs30,000 here on Monday evening.

The purchase of votes would continue till the election day on Thursday.

Another source claimed that bid for a female vote is between Rs1,000 and Rs15,000, male councillor Rs25,000 and Rs30,000 and nazim and

naib nazim Rs40,000 and Rs50,000.

He claimed that the rate could go up on the eve of election.

Some councillors’ groups reached here from Shujaabad and Lahore for getting ID cards and again left for undisclosed places.

Withdrawal: PPP-backed Vehari tehsil nazim candidate Sheryar Khan on Monday withdrew in favour of ruling party hopeful Mian Saqib Khursheed.

Talking to the press here, he said the decision to this effect was taken after meetings with the party’s district and provincial leadership.

He said dozens of councillors had also announced their support for Mr Khursheed.

Mr Khan said his group would also support Syed Shahid Mehdi Shah for the district nazim slot.

After this announcement, four candidates for Vehari tehsil nazim slot are: Saqib Khursheed (PML), Zahid Anwar Wahla (PML-N), Nazar Mohammad Dugal and Bilal Akbar Bhatti (Independent).

The main contest is expected between PML-N candidate Zahid Wahla and Mian Saqib Khursheed.