ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR, Dec 7: Over 300 nomination papers have been filed in the troubled areas of Swat and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

In all 124 papers have been filed for six seats of the National Assembly and 177 for nine NWFP assembly seats.

The Election Commission had extended the date for filing nomination papers in Swat, Shangla and Hangu districts and Kurram and North Waziristan agencies to Dec 6 because of the law and order situation in the areas.

EC Secretary Kanwar Dilshad told Dawn that the scrutiny of papers would be completed on Saturday; Dec 12 was the last date for filing appeals against the rejection or acceptance of nomination papers.

Forty-seven candidates are in the run for two National Assembly seats from Swat, 14 for one constituency in Shangla and 63 for two constituencies in Kurram Agency.

In North Waziristan, about 32 candidates have filed nomination papers for a single National Assembly seat.

As many as 106 candidates have filed papers for seven provincial assembly constituencies in Swat and 46 have submitted papers for two provincial assembly seats in Kurram Agency.

Sources said that the mainstream political parties had fielded candidates, including some former federal and provincial ministers.

Former federal minister and provincial chief of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Amir Muqam has filed papers from PF-82, PF-85 and PF-86.

The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) and Jamaat-i-Islami have fielded their candidates despite JI’s announcement that it would boycott the polls

The Pakistan People’s Party, PML (N), Awami National Party and PPP (Sherpao) have also fielded their candidates.