SWABI, Jan 10: Several local government representatives, including union council nazims, have been involved in the election campaigns of candidates of different parties and groups here.

District Nazim Shahram Khan had held a convention of UC nazims and councillors after the announcement of the election schedule to gain support for his two uncles — Usman Khan Tarakai, who is contesting for NA-12, Swabi-I, and Javid Iqbal Tarakai, for PF-32, Swabi-II.

This rejuvenated the Swabi Jamhoori Ittehad (SJI) which had been formed by Shahram Khan before the local government election in 2005.

Sources told Dawn on Thursday that at least 17 UC nazims were supporting the district nazim’s uncles and running their campaign.

“I was approached by our UC Nazim Ijaz Khalid to vote for the SJI candidates. We have good relations with him and therefore it will be hard for us not to vote for the candidates of his choice,” said Imtiaz Khan of Sheikh Jana UC.

Awami National Party leaders alleged that the district nazim was announcing development projects which would influence the voters in favour of his uncles.

Swabi Tehsil Nazim Hanif Gul Jadoon, who is district senior vice-president of the ANP, is supporting the party’s candidate Sarfaraz Khan Jadoon for PF-36, Swabi-IV. He has also announced development projects in the mountainous belt of Gadoon Amazai and addressed local people’s demands.