KHAIRPUR, May 21: A close contest for the post of district Naib Nazim is expected between Bibi Irshad Jilani of the Khairpur Dost Panel and Sher Mohammad Phulpoto of the Awam Dost Panel on Saturday.

Some eight polling stations have been set up in eight talukas of the district and 1,580 voters including Nazims and councillors of 76 union councils will cast their votes.

The seat has fallen vacant after the resignation of ADP's Sher Mohammad Phulpoto who contested the last year's general elections as an independence candidate on the NA-215 but could not succeed.

It has remained a bone of contention between the two groups, leading to a clash in the office of Naib Nazim on January 14. No session of the council has been held till date.A case was registered against district Nazim Nafisa Shah, ADP members at the A-section police station.

MNA Manzoor Wassan and MPAs Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Nawab Wassan, Naeem Kharal and PPP district president Sajid Bhambhan are jointly working for Mr Phulpoto. Sindh minister Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi and MNA Javed Shah and Syed Parvez Ali Shah are canvassing for Bibi Irshad.