MANSEHRA: The Election Commission of Pakistan has established 864 polling stations here for the March 31 local body elections declaring 141 of them the most sensitive and 433 sensitive.

Over 7,000 personnel of law-enforcement agencies will be deployed across the district to maintain law and order on the polling day.

According to a notification issued by Mansehra district returning officer Sardar Jehanzeb, Mansehra tehsil has 301 polling stations and 45 of them are the most sensitive and 150 sensitive, while 2,362 police personnel will be deployed in the area to maintain law and order on the election day.

Thirty-four polling stations have been established in Darband tehsil and 13 of them are the most sensitive and 21 sensitive. A total of 346 police personnel will be deployed across the tehsil on March 31.

Oghi tehsil has 126 polling stations, including 20 most sensitive and 58 sensitive, while 1,043 police officials will be deployed in the area on the polling day.

A total of 301 polling stations have been established in Baffa-Pakhal tehsil and 36 of them are the most sensitive and 90 sensitive. As many as 1,683 police officials will ensure peace across the tehsil on the election day.

Balakot tehsil has 190 polling stations, including 27 most sensitive and 114 sensitive, while 1,578 police personnel will be deployed on March 31.

CLOSE CONTEST: A tough competition is expected between the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl nominee and an independent candidate backed by three major tribes during the March 31 election for Pattan tehsil chairman slot in Lower Kohistan district.

Khan Mimber of theJUI-F, Mohammad Kameer of the Pakistan Peoples Party and independent candidate Maulana Rehmatullah are in the running but a tough competition is expected between the former and the latter.

Mr Rehmatullah, a disgruntled JUI-F leader, is supported by Fareeqi Ittehad of Khushokhel, Khyhalkhel and Sakankhel tribes.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2022