OKARA, Jan 7: As many as 21 candidates are in the run for the eight seats of the Okara District Bar Association. In all, 573 lawyers have been listed as eligible voters for the DBA elections scheduled for Jan 15.

Chaudhry Riazul Haq and Chaudhry Abbas Ali Batalvi are contesting for the slot of president while Atif Chaudhry and Rana Khalid Hussain are in the run for the post of secretary general.

Rajputs and Arains are two major groups in the Bar which have always played a major role in the elections. Both the candidates for the post of president belong to Arain biradari. Chaudhry Riaz also enjoys the support of Rajputs and lawyers like Kunwar Saeed Ahmed Khan, Chaudhry Faiz Ahmad Kahloon, Mian Muhammad Shafique Bhindara and Malik Maqbool Ahmad Shakir.

Former federal minister Mian Muhammad Zaman is supporting Chaudhry Riaz because of his rivalry with Chaudhry Ikram. Chaudhry Abbas has the backing of Arain biradari. He also has the support of former MPA Chaudhry Ikramul Haq, MPA Malik Nazar Farid Khokhar, former chairman of zila council Mian Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Shujaat Ahmad Nasir and Chaudhry Abdul Shakoor Saleemi.

A close contest is expected for the post of general secretary between Rana Khalid Hussain and Atif Chaudhry. Rana Khalid is in the penal of Chaudhry Riaz while Atif Chaudhry is in the panel of Chaudhry Abbas.

Chaudhry Riaz is also enjoying the support of Kharal biradari as Rai Muhammad Ashfaq Kharal is in the run for the office of senior vice-president. Mian Muhammad Sharif and Memoona Lashari are also vying for the post.

For the office of vice-president, Chaudhry Muhammad Abbas Sangoka and Rana Muhammad Nadeem Sohail are in the run. For the offices of joint and finance secretaries, librarian and auditor, 10 candidates are contesting. No candidate is whole-heartedly running campaign for these offices as lawyers cast vote just after reading the names.

The candidates for the Bar posts have started arranging tea parties, luncheon and dinner receptions for the voters. Some candidate have also paid the annual dues of voters which reportedly cost them hundreds of thousands of rupees.