Election campaigns in Mardan pick up steam

MARDAN: Various political parties have expedited campaigns ahead of the May 30 local government elections in the district. About 3,162 members will be elected in Mardan that comprises of 75 union councils, now called wards.
A total of 318 candidates are contesting election for district level seats, 235 candidates of various political parties and 96 independents are trying their luck for tehsil seats. There are about 1058,157 registered voters, including 440,545 women, in Mardan.
The Election Commission has established 965 polling stations, including 283 for men, 246 for women and 434 combined polling stations. A total of 14,088 staff members, including 10,891 men and 3,197 women, will perform duty on the polling day.
Various political and religious parties have made alliances to win maximum number of seats in the district and tehsil councils. The Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal have forged such an alliance and Pakistan People’s Party and Jamaat-e-Islami have also joined hands.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf, Qaumi Watan Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz are contesting the LG election without entering into any alliance. On majority of the district and tehsil council seats, a neck-and-neck contest is expected among the PTI, ANP, PPP, JUI-F and JI.
Political atmosphere of the district is becoming charged day by day and majority of the parties, especially PTI and ANP leaders, have started trading charges during rallies. In some areas, clashes also occurred among the supporters of both the parties.