DERA GHAZI KHAN, Dec 19: Nomination papers of five aspirants were accepted for PP-245 seat and papers of one aspirant were rejected while the remaining two candidates withdrew their papers here on Thursday.

The PP-245 seat was vacated by Millat Party Chief Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari. This is considered to be the native seat of the Leghari tribe.

In all, eight candidates had submitted their nomination papers, but Maqsood Leghari and Sher Baz withdrew their papers on the last day. Nomination papers of Khawaja Daud was rejected for being a defaulter of the Agriculture Development Bank.

Now five contestants — Mohsin Leghari (MP), Shabbir Leghari (MP), Saifullah Sadozai (PPP), Saeed Buzdar (PPP) and Hassan Leghari — are in the run. Symbols will be allotted to them on Dec 27.

The Leghari family are in a dilemma on account of choosing a unanimous candidate as Shabbir Leghari and Mohsin Leghari belong to the Millat Party and are cousins as well. The MP and the Leghari tribe chief, Farooq Leghari, will take the final decision who‘s arrival is expected in a few days.

Similarly, from the PPP platform, two aspirants wanted to contest the by-election. Dr Saeed Buzdar got 7,000 votes in the October elections while PPP district president Saifullah Sadozai is a non-resident. The decision to award the party ticket will be taken at a meeting in Lahore.