FAISALABAD, Jan 13: The election campaign for the office of Faisalabad City District naib nazim is in full swing amid differences among the ruling party parliamentarians. Like other parts of the country, the elections for the naib nazims of local councils were held on Dec 28. But the election for the office of city district naib nazim was declared void by the returning officer after rowdyism and hooliganism.

The ruling PML has fielded former MNA Mian Amjad Yaseen, the husband of sitting MNA Riffat Amjad, for this important seat of the district. The chief minister announced support for Mr Yaseen and asked the party workers to launch election campaign. Punjab PML secretary-general and Communication Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Khan along with federal ministers Wasi Zafar and Mushtaq Cheema and town nazims launched the campaign.

On the other hand, the opposition parties fielded a newcomer, Sheikh Muhammad Yousaf. He claimed to be a nominee of the PML-N having the support of the PPPP. Later, he held a news conference and claimed to have deep roots and links with the PPP. He was declared an ARD candidate having the support of PML-N MNA Raja Nadir Pervaiz and MPAs Malik Nawaz and Sheikh Ijaz Ahmad. Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan, MPAs Riaz Shahid, Jahanzeb Imitaz Gill, Faizullah Kamoka and other leaders have been running the election campaign for Sheikh Yousaf.

It is interesting to note that Punjab Assembly Speaker Afzal Sahi and his brother MNA Ghulam Rasool Sahi have parted ways with the ruling party and openly supporting opposition’s Sheikh Yousaf.

Similarly, the district and city presidents, secretaries general of the PML-N as well as the groups led by former MNAs Chaudhry Sher Ali and Mian Abdul Mannan are playing the role of silent spectators in the electioneering.

Sources close to the candidates claimed that over 80 per cent of councillors have assured to cast their vote in favour of their respective candidates after getting ‘bribe’. Some of the candidates have reportedly received Rs50,000 to Rs100,000.

Corner meetings with lavish dinners and Eid parties are also being arranged by both the candidates.

Meanwhile, Election Commission sources said the election would be held on Jan 19 without considering the complaints moved by Mian Amjad.

It may be recalled that on Dec 28, 399 of total 412 members cast their votes. In two earlier attempts, ruling party candidate Amjad Yaseen got 204 votes while Sheikh Yousaf bagged 177 votes. However, the remaining members refused to cast their vote in favour any of the candidates.

The supporters of Sheikh Yousaf protested in front of the returning officer and accused him of favouring Amjad Yaseen due to which the situation became out of control and the RO declared the election void to avoid ‘law and order situation.’