160 candidates file nomination papers for ten wards

Rawalpindi
On the last day of filing of nomination papers as many as 160 candidates submitted their nomination papers for 10 wards of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board elections, which would be held on April 25 on party basis as declared by the court.
Officials related to the Election Cell including Qaiser Mahmood said that the process of submitting papers continued in a smooth manner. Scrutiny of the nomination papers would start after one day break i.e. on April 3 which would continue for three days.
The intending candidates who have submitted their nomination papers belong to PML-N, PPP and PTI besides Jamaat-e-Islami.
Though all major parties have fielded their candidates in 10 different wards, yet the real contest is expected between the PML-N and PTI backed candidates.
Though all ex-councillors, including Hafiz Hussein Ahmed (Ward 9), Haji Zafar (Ward 6) and Raja Jahandad (Ward 5) who had served in their respective wards in the past belonged to PML-N, however, sensing any upset at the hands of PTI candidates they are not taking the elections lightly and doing hectic canvassing for the elections.
‘The News’ learnt through different sources that a good number of activists of ruling PML-N after being allegedly ignored have started to join the platform of PTI to contest elections from its fold.
The Ward 9 was once the stronghold of Jamaat-e-Islami. Hafiz Hussein Ahmed, who last year parted ways from this party for joining PML-N, enjoys the support of the people of his area and PTI has to work hard in this ward to turn the tables against him.
Similarly, the son of experienced and well-known figure among the public, Abdus Samad, has also submitted his nomination papers for Ward 9. But one of the two has to withdraw his papers in favour of each other.
Another ex-councillor, Haji Zafar, has filed his nomination paper to contest elections from Ward 6. He, being an old Muslim Leaguer, also enjoys big support of his area people and sits comfortably. In the past as councillor, Haji Zafar has served the people of his ward efficiently and sincerely. He not only resolved the basic problems of the citizens but also enforced many development projects which mostly include opening of educational institutions and allotting his land for this purpose.
Another PML-N-backed candidate, Raja Jahandad, who has served as a councillor in his ward who seems to be not finding hard to regain his seat against his opponents belonging to different strong parties, however, is relentlessly doing electioneering to win support of old and new voters in his ward.
Another plus point of PML-N which would become a major factor in the success of its candidates is that the cantonment constituency is governed by MNA Malik Abrar belonging to the ruling party. His presence in the elections would prove a positive effect for the candidates fielded by the party in most of the total 10 wards.
However, fresh situation of position and chances of candidates belonging to different parties would emerge in the last leg of the electioneering particularly those belonging to PML-N and PTI.