ABBOTTABAD, Jan 2: Poll campaigning slowed here as major contenders from the PML-Q, PML-N and PPP have put on hold on canvassing as the Election Commission adjourned the balloting date from Jan 8 to Feb 18.

Candidates of the PML-Q and PML-N kept their offices closed to mourn the death of Ms Benazir assassination while the PPP’s office remained open to receive condolences.

Shamroz Khan Jadoon, a PPP divisional president and candidate for the provincial assembly, toured the city to thank the dwellers for expressing their solidarity with the PPP on this solemn occasion.

However, some independent candidates were seen performing their work as usual with a message that they were here not for the elections but to keep themselves abreast with the peoples’ problems.

At least 13 dailies appearing from Abbottabad, Haripur and Mansehra, who were having two to three pages ads of candidates before the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, had again started publishing candidates’ advertisements.