SWABI: Leaders of political parties said on Tuesday they would soon convene a multiparty conference against the reported plan of the Election Commission of Pakistan to reduce the number of provincial assembly constituencies in the Swabi district from six to five.

They said according to the 1998 census the district’s population was 1,026,804, which had risen to 1,624,616 as per the 2017 census, but despite that the ECP planned to reduce the number of seats to five.

The leaders made clear that there might be some political differences among them but none of them could compromise on the rights of the district and that reducing the number of constituencies had put them under tremendous pressure.

It has been learnt that the ECP has sent a letter to the Swabi deputy commissioner, asking him to immediately send the number of union councils and maps of the provincial constituencies to the commission.

Shah Wali Khan, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, and expected candidate of the ruling party from PK-31, Swabi-1, expressed serious reservations about the plan.

He alleged that efforts had been underway to separate the two huge villages, Shahmansoor and Panjpir, from PK-31, and include the same in PK-35, Swabi-V and some areas of Razaar tehsil. “We have made clear that it is not acceptable to us at any cost.”

Masood Jabar, district chairman of Qaumi Watan Party, said: “I have told district nazim Ameer Rehman that he should immediately convene a multiparty conference on the matter. I hope that leaders of all parties would participate in the moot.”

The expected contesting candidates are worried that some of their strong areas may be pushed to other constituencies, depriving them of the key supporting regions.

“The omission and inclusion of areas in constituencies at the behest of some politicians would be opposed vigorously,” said Gul Zamin Shah, ANP candidate from PK-31.

A number of leaders expressed fear that ruling party leaders, especially Asad Qaisar, Speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, and provincial minister for health Shahram Khan Tarakai would play a key role in maneuvering some regions of their choice.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2018