QUETTA: The scrutiny process commenced for the nomination papers submitted for 16 national and 51 provincial assembly seats, as well as reserved seats for women and minorities across the province on Monday.

In Balochistan, 2,419 candidates, including 64 women, have filed their nominations for the general seats of the national and provincial assemblies.

In addition, 250 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for reserved seats. In the upcoming general elections, where a significant number of young candidates have joined the electoral fray, several known figures continue to vie for seats in the national and provincial seats of Balochistan. Notable individuals such as Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Shahzain Bugti, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani, Khalid Khan Magsi, Jam Kamal Khan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Qasim Khan Suri, and other familiar faces actively engaged in the electoral process.

As per the election commission, a total of 45 nomination papers were filed for the NA-252 constituency. Noteworthy contenders vying for this National Assembly seat include Mir Baz Mohammad Khetran, Sardar Yaqoob Khan Nasir, Sardar Babar Musakhail, and Tariq Mehmood Khetran. Also for NA-235 (Sibi), a total of 41 candidates submitted their nomination papers, with Shahzain Bugti, Dostain Domki, and Harbiyar Domki emerging as influential figures in the electoral race.

In the NA-254 constituency (Kachhi, Jhal-Magsi), a total of 36 candidates submitted their nominations, with key contenders including Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind, Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani, Nawabzada Khalid Magsi, and Humayun Aziz Kurd. In the challenging electoral landscape of Balochistan’s NA-256 (Khuzdar), 22 candidates are in the run, with the primary competition among Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Mir-Israr Zehri, Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, and Mir Shafiq-ur-Rehman Mengal.

A electoral competition is expected in Gwadar’s NA-259, featuring candidates such as Dr Malik Baloch, Mir Hammal Kalmati, Mir Yaqoob Bizenjo, Khuda Babar, and Hussain Wadila. Notably, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Qasim Khan Suri have also thrown their hats in the ring by submitting their nominations. Overall, a total of 2,669 candidates have submitted nomination papers to participate in the general elections in Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2023