SHANGLA: Shangla election commissioner Inayatur Rehman said on Monday that special measures were being taken to improve the voter turnout in the upcoming elections in the district.

Talking to reporters after visiting the polling stations with provincial joint election commissioner Javid Afridi, he said the number of polling stations had been increased and facilities were being provided there with the support of the district administration.

Mr Rehman said pathways in snowbound areas and ramps for the differently-abled persons would also be established at the polling stations. He said women voters would have separate entry and exit points.

The Shangla election commission official said the number of provincial assembly constituencies had also increased to three from two, which would indeed help enhance the voter turnout.

Meanwhile, Shangla police arrested two suspects after a video from a CCTV camera in Belay Baba Bazaar went viral on social media, showing the two beating up a man.

A statement issued here on Monday said district police officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada took notice of the video of the incident occurred a few days ago as people demanded arrest of the accused.

The statement said Alpuri SHO Rohul Amin arrested both the brothers, Maroof Khan and Maqbol Khan, during a raid in Pagorai village, and registered a case against them.

Mr Amin told Dawn that the accused had been released from jail earlier for such crimes on bail. He said the person they beat up was their cousin and they fought over a land dispute in their village.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2023