LANDI KOTAL, Dec 15: At least 19 candidates withdrew their nomination papers from the two constituencies of National Assembly in Khyber Agency while the remaining 45 candidates were allotted election symbols on Saturday.

Two Jamaat-i-Islami candidates were among those who pulled out of the competition for the NA-46 and NA-45 seats. The JI candidates came to the offices of the political administration in Landi Kotal and Khyber House in processions to withdraw their papers as part of their party’s countrywide protest against January 8 elections.

The JI had also organized rallies in Landi Kotal and Bara before their candidates went to withdraw their papers.

Local JI leaders pledged to continue their struggle till the restoration of judiciary and lifting of curbs on media by the Musharraf government.

The 11 candidates left in the contest for NA-45 were issued election symbols as independent candidates. From the NA-46 constituency, 23 candidates are in the competition.

The political administration has advised all the candidates to run their campaign peacefully and refrain from displaying arms.

The authorities have cautioned the candidates that elections could be either cancelled or postponed if they were found violating election rules and creating a law and order situation in their constituencies.