DADU, Sept 25: The momentum for the October election has geared up in Dadu district with the contenders of various political parties, including the PPP, PML (N), PML (Q), MQM, PPP (SB), SDA, Millat Party, and independents having started door-to-door canvassing for three national and seven provincial assembly seats.

They are addressing corner meetings, hoisting banners, and fixing posters.

Of the three NA seats, the position of PPP candidates appeared to be weak in one, and of the seven provincial assembly seats their position appeared to be weak in four.

There will be a tough contest between the PPP and the PML (Q) for two NA seats.

The main contesting candidates on NA-231 (Dadu-I) are SDA’s Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, grandson of the founder of the Jeay Sindh Tehrik G. M. Syed, and Nawab Abdul Ghani Talpur of the People’s Party Parliamentarians.

Mr Talpur is the brother-in-law of the district Nazim, Dadu, Malik Asad Sikandar. He may have an edge over his opponents due to the influence of the district Nazim.

Likewise, the main contest on NA-232 (Dadu-II) will be witnessed between the PPP district president, Rafique Ahmed Jamali, and PML-Q’s Ahmed Khan.

Mr Jamali’s position is apparently safe as he is the son of Sardar Haji Mohammad Bukhsh Jamali, who kept returning as an MNA in previous polls.

Other candidates included Muttahida Quami Movement’s Hussain Bukhsh Solangi, Mir Asghar Panhwar of the PML-Q, and Syed Fida Hussain Shah of the MMA.

A tough contest is bound to be seen between PML-Q’s Liaquat Ali Jatoi and PPP leader Rafique Ahmed Mahesar in NA-233 (Dadu-III).

Being the son of Raees Abdul Hameed Khan Jatoi, Mr Liaquat might be having an edge because his father wields a lot of influence among the constituents.

As far as elections for provincial assembly seats are concerned, an interesting contest is expected between Preen Shoro of the PPP and SDA’s Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah on PS-71 (Kotri).

Muttahida Quami Movement’s candidate Ali Nawaz Shoro is also in the race for PS-71 with reports of his withdrawing in favour of Mr Shah coming in as JSQM chairman Basheer Qureshi and JSQM leader Syed Zain Shah have put their weight behind Mr Shah. They have also launched an election campaign in his favour. MQM Chief Altaf Hussain is likely to announce Shoro’s retirement.

PML-Q’s Malik Changez Khan, cousin of Malik Asad Sikandar, and PPP’s Syed Asif Ali Shah, a close relative of Syed Abdullah Shah, are up against each other in PS-72 (Thana Bula Khan) but Mr Shah is in a slightly better position.

There are four aspirants for PS-73 (Sehwan Sharif), which included PPP candidate Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sardar Chakar Khan Shahani of the PML-Q, Shakeel Ahmed Memon of the PPP-SB, and an independent candidate, Gulan Khan Bhand.

Syed Murad Ali Shah is sick at the moment thereby putting Sardar Chakar Khan Shahani of the PML-Q in a better position. Mr Shah has gone to Karachi for treatment.

Mr Bhand has given a new touch to the election campaign by kicking it off in local buses on the Sehwan-Bhan, Sehwan-Aminiani, and Sehwan-Jhangara routes as well as on foot.

Being the daughter of Pir Mazharul Haque, Ms Marvi of the PPP would be giving a tough time to SDA’s Syed Mohammad Shah for PS-74.

The candidature of Pir Mazharul Haq, who had been elected as an MPA in the previous general election, was rejected. His daughter is well entrenched in her constituency.

MQM’s Imam Bukhsh Panwhar and independent candidates Ahmed Khan Malkani and Maqsood Ahmed Shaikh are also contesting for PS-74 (Dadu).

An interesting electoral bout would be witnessed between Syed Ghulam Shah Jilani of the PPP and Dr Manzoor Ahmed Leghari of the Millat Party for PS-75 (Johi) with the latter’s position appearing strong.

Zulfiqar Ali Babar (independent) and Mohammad Bukhsh (PPP-SB) are also in the field for the same seat.

There will be a tough contest between PPP’s Haji Zafar Ali Khan Leghari and PML-Q’s Liaquat Ali Jatoi on PS-76 (Khairpur Nathan Shah) as both of them have enough experience of the elections and have remained MPAs and ministers.

Sadaqat Ali Jatoi, Mr Liaquat’s younger brother, is also aspiring for PS-77 (Mehar) on a PML-Q ticket against Qazi Shafiq Ahmed Mahessar of the PPP.

The PPP is likely to lose four provincial assembly seats including PS-71 (Kotri), PS-73 (Sehwan Sharif), PS-75 (Johi), PS-76 (Khairpur Nathan Shah), and PS-77 (Mehar) and NA-233 (Dadu-III).

The election scenario has changed and the PPP seems to be in trouble. It is no longer the stronghold of the PPP.

DRO: The district returning officer, Dadu, Hassan Feroze, has said that stern action would be taken against those officials who do not perform their duties on election day or if they support any candidate.

He was presiding over a meeting of the officials of the district administration, Dadu, on Wednesday regarding arrangements for the coming general election.

DPO Ali Akbar Bhangwar, DCO Abdul Razzaq Abbasi, and Assistant Election Commissioner Syed Ghazanfar Abbas Shah also attended the meeting.

He informed the meeting that a total of 815 polling stations were set in the district and 7,377 government employees would be deputed at the polling stations for election duties on the polling day.

He directed the law enforcement agencies to take preventive measures at the sensitive polling stations in the district.