With only a week left for the general election, the candidates of different political parties have expedited their campaingn to win NA-45 and NA-46 Khyber Agency seats. According to observers, the candidates contesting on NA-45 seat are making their best efforts to attract maximum number of voters amid mass exodus due to ongoing operation in the area.
As many as 24 candidates of different parties are contesting to win the national assembly seat of NA-46. The Election Commission has announced to establish more than 74 polling stations for NA-46. The candidates belonging to different parties said that campaigning had become a daunting task for them due to volatile security situation and threats by militants. However, they vowed to fully participate in the election despite the current circumstances in the tribal agency.
"Though, we are unable to hold major rallies, but making our best efforts to reach out to voters residing in temporary shelter facilities in district Nowshera and Peshawar," said Shah Faisal Afridi, a candidate of JI from NA-46 Khyber Agency. PTI candidate, Iqbal Afridi, said that campaigning had become a Herculean task for them in the wake of poor law and order situation.
He asked the caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan to take appropriate steps to ensure full participation of internally displaced persons from the Khyber Agency in the elections. "We will participate in the general election, if the government takes security measures at the polling stations at Jalozai camp," said Shakeel a resident of Bara, presently residing at a camp.