ABBOTTABAD: With by-election for Havelian tehsil mayor’s slot slated for Sunday (Aug 6), Iftikhar Khan Jadoon of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Uzair Khan (independent) have emerged as the main contenders, say political observers.

They told Dawn that the election would also be a “real test” for the opposition PTI and the ruling PML-N.

There are six candidates for the mayor’s position, which fell vacant after the assignation of tehsil mayor Atif Munsif Khan by his rivals lately. The gun attack also left the mayor’s six guards and driver dead.

The contestants include Iftikhar Khan Jadoon of the PTI, Malik Talha of the PML-N, Uzair Khan (independent), Shiraz Khan (PPP) and Shamrez Khan (independent).

They all along with their supporters are actively canvassing.

Observers say PTI nominee, independent main contenders

Havelian tehsil comprises nine union councils. The provincial and national assembly seats were won by the PML-N nominees in the last elections.

Currently, PML-N leaders Murtaza Javed Abbasi (MNA) and Aurangzeb Nalotha (former MPA) are holding a campaign for the party’s nominee with full strength.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has already issued a show-cause notice to MNA Abbasi for taking part in the election.

Political observers said the main contest would be held between PTI nominee Iftikhar Khan Jadoon and independent Uzer Khan, who was the cousin of former MPA late Atif Munsif Khan.

They said both candidates had strong support in the area, which mostly comprised villages and was populated by different tribes.

The observers said the local political scene was dominated by the Munsif Khan Group and Zar Khan Group and that more than 30 people from each group had been killed in bloody clashes.

They said the support of each group would play a key role in the victory of any candidate.

The observers said PTI candidate Iftikhar Khan Jadoon was popular in the area and had won the support of noted trader and political leader Khursheed Azam Khan, who withdrew his candidature in his favour.

They said the youth, including PTI workers, were actively carrying out a campaign for Mr Jadoon, whose position was also strengthened after a message of party chairman Imran Khan for him went viral on social media.

The observers said Uzer Khan was trying to cash in on the popularity of his uncle and former MPA, late Munsif Khan, for development work.

They said high inflation during the current PML-N’s federal government had put the party in a tight spot but still it had managed to hold large public meetings and corner meetings.

The observers insisted that the PML-N had little chance of winning the mayor’s election.

They said other candidates Shiraz and Shamrez were carrying out their election campaigns “halfheartedly.”

Meanwhile, the district administration has made strict measures to prevent any untoward incident ahead of and during the election.

It deployed additional police force at the polling station,imposed Section 144 and issued a code of conduct for the electoral exercise.

Published in Dawn, Aug 5th, 2023