CHARSADDA: The Election Commission organised a workshop for the election staff here on Sunday.

The training was held for the teachers of government high school, Parang.

Talking to media, the school principal Dr Mushtaq said that the election commission and the education department had made arrangements for the training of the election staff.

They said expert trainers of the election commission were giving training to the presiding officers and other staff.

ELECTIONEERING: Electioneering has gained momentum across Charsadda district as all political and religious parties have started canvassing to woo voters for their potential candidates.

As the date of polling is coming closer, the candidates have started attending funerals, wedding ceremonies and other social events.

Some political parties have started efforts to make alliances or seat adjustments to ensure their victory.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Qaumi Watan Party are planning to start a door-to-door campaign and hold corner meetings to woo voters.

According to reports, there is a deadlock in talks between QWP and JUI-F over adjustment on some provincial assembly seats.

The talks between ANP and JUI-F, according to sources, are also deadlocked.

Meanwhile, Private Education Network (PEN) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has requested the education department to review its decision of extending the winter vacation.

A PEN representative alleged that officers of the education department were sitting in the drawing rooms, and their decision to extend the winter vacation would affect students’ education.

He said 240 days were required for completing classes, but a student of matriculation had only 126 days after gazetted holidays and an intermediate student had only 91 days, which was a loss to their education

He also questioned the teachers’ engagement in the general elections, saying that teachers of private schools had nothing to do with the election process.

Published in Dawn, january 1st, 2024