PESHAWAR, July 21: A total of 23,866 men and women have filed nomination papers for various positions in union councils in 12 districts of the NWFP. Following is the district-wise break-up: About 4,026 candidates have submitted nomination papers in Peshawar, 2,059 in Nowshera, 3,436 in Charsadda, 2,821 Mardan, 1,858 Swabi, 1,106 Kohat, 12 Karak, 10,70 Bannu, 2,525 D. I. Khan, 975 Tank, 1,762 Haripur and 948 in Buner district.
The election commission has announced the first phase of the local body polls for 12 districts of the province.
Though the local body polls will be held on non-party basis but different political parties have fielded candidates under various banners, reflecting their political identity.
The PPP fielded candidates under the name of Awam Dost, the ANP has put up under the banner of Watan Dost, the Jamaat-i-Islami has come up with Al-Khidmat Group, the JUI has emerged with the title of Muttahida group.
The MMA’s components has also formed the Muttahida Millat-i-Amal at the Peshawar level.
Apart from major political parties some independent groups had formed their panels for various positions.
The Peshawar, which has been given status of the city district, has 92 union councils where 4,026 candidates of both genders, affiliated with different political parties have filed their papers.
In the provincial capital about 1,821 candidates filed their nomination papers for Muslim general seats, 415 for Muslim women, 949 for peasants/workers, 307 for peasants/workers (women) and 109 for minority communities while 425 for Nazim and Naib Nazim.
Objections will be received on July 22 while scrutiny of nomination papers will be on July 23 and 24. While aspirant could withdraw his/her nomination papers by July 28.
Our Correspondent adds: About 1,726 candidates filed their nomination papers for 540 seats of nazims/naib nazims, general councilors male female, peasant worker and minority seat for the 45 union councils of Haripur district on the last day scheduled for filing of nomination paper for next month local government elections, official sources told here on Thursday.
It was observed that there was not a single female candidate in the run either for the office of nazim UC or naib nazim in the entire 45 UC district.
In the urban areas and Tehsil Ghazi the ratio of female contenders was higher than the previous election which was evident from the number of lady contenders from the remote UCs of Bait Gali, Nara Amazai, Kotehra, Khairbara and Ghazi.