BAJAUR: An awareness session was held here the other day for the police officials having been assigned the poll duty in order to conduct the Feb 8 elections in a peaceful, free and fair manner in Bajaur district.

The session was held at the Police Lines in Khar, according to a statement issued from the office of the district police officer.

The statement said SP investigations Naveed Iqbal and other senior police officers informed the participants about the 54-point guidelines of the Central Police Office Peshawar regarding the peaceful, free and fair conduct of the Feb 8 general elections across the province.

The police officials were also informed about the Election Commission of Pakistan’s rules and regulations for the conduct of free and fair elections.

The statement said the police officials were asked to ensure that all the political parties and candidates followed the ECP code of conduct both before and on the polling day.

The participants were also instructed to take strict legal action against those found violating the code of conduct.

The statement said police officials were advised to keep close watch over miscreants in their respective polling stations to thwart any unpleasant situation on the polling day.

CANVASSING RESUMES: The political parties and election candidates have resumed canvassing in Bajaur tribal district after it was suspended following the murder of Rehan Zeb Khan, a PTI-affiliated candidate, on Wednesday.

The PTI activist was shot dead by unknown assailants during canvassing in Sadiqabad Bazaar.

The tragic killing of Mr Zeb, who was contesting from NA-8 and PK-22, forced political parties and candidates to suspend their elections campaign in protest against the incident.

The incident also led the postponement of elections in these two constituencies by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Now, the Feb 8 elections would be held only on PK-19, PK-20 and PK-21 in Bajaur.

Meanwhile, in PK-19, which comprises Lowi Mamond and War Mamond tehsils, JUI-F’s Khalid Khan and PTI-backed Dr Hamidur Rahman are considered to be main contenders.

For PK-20, which covers Salarzai tehsil and some areas of Khar tehsil, PML-N’s provincial vice-president Shahabuddin Khan, PTI provincial vice-president Anwar Zeb Khan, Maulana Waheed Gul of JI and ANP’s Gul Afzal Khan are emerging as strong candidates.

In PK-21, which covers Utmankhel and Barang tehsils, the main contest is expected between PTI-backed Eng Ajmal Khan, Haji Sardar Khan of JI and ANP’s Rasheed Khan.

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024