General elections: Tough contests expected in Mardan

MARDAN: Tough contests are expected in Mardan district among Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F, Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and JI, in 3 national and 8 provincial constituencies.

The total registered voters in Mardan district are 1,538,078, including 696,382 females and 841,696 males. The election commissioner has designated 1,055 polling stations, comprising 353 male, 319 female, and 383 combined.

For the three National Assembly seats, a total of 82 candidates, including two women, have submitted their nomination papers. Simultaneously, 234 candidates, including 3 women, have submitted nomination papers for the eight provincial assembly seats.

In NA-21-Mardan-1, with 521,739 registered voters, including 235,737 females, and 34 candidates, including a female, contesting, a tough competition is expected.

For NA-22-Mardan-II, where registered voters total 554,737, with 254,228 females, and 30 candidates, including a female, have submitted nominations, another fierce battle is anticipated.

In NA-23 Mardan-III, with 461,602 registered voters, including 206,417 females, 18 candidates are vying.

For the provincial assembly seats, PK-54, Mardan-1, has 189,952 registered voters, including 85,102 females, and 23 candidates in the race. PK-55, Mardan-2, with 207,922 registered voters, including 84,877 females, sees 36 candidates, including a female, submitting their nominations.

The PK-56, Mardan-III, has 186,736 registered voters, including 85,115 women, and 23 candidates, including a woman, are participating in the election. In PK-57, Mardan-4, 184,364 registered voters, including 100,524 men and 83,840 women, are anticipated to witness a contest among 32 candidates, including one female.

For PK-58, Mardan-5, with 217,529 registered voters, including 116,434 men and 101,095 women, and 27 candidates in the running.

PK-59, Mardan-6, where 178,684 registered voters, including 79,380 females, and 38 candidates, have submitted their nominations. In PK-60, Mardan-7, with 185,557 registered voters, including 82,720 women, and 28 candidates participating. PK-61, Mardan-8, with 187,334 registered voters, including 84,253 females, and 27 candidates in the contest.

Political analysts predict contests among PTI, ANP, PPP, PMLN, and JUIF candidates in the 3 national and 8 provincial constituencies, although PTI may face challenges amid the current situation in the country.