PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has completed all preparations for the Elections in 42 cantonment boards election across the country. There is tough contest expected in nine cantonment boards in seven districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar. But no women candidate is vying for any seat.
The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has fielded its candidates on almost all the constituencies across the province but its facing tough challenge from the Awami National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). Besides the opposition, the angry PTI workers are also posing threat for the PTI. Though in many constituencies angry workers have been convinced not to participate in the elections. However, the workers have refused to campaign for the PTI party’s candidates.
There are 45 candidates vying for five seats of the Peshawar Cantonment Board where PTI candidates considering themselves safe and hoping to win all the seats. A total of 28,033 voters would exercise their rights to vote, including 14,968 male and 13,065 female voters in Peshawar. A total of 27 polling stations have been setup for the polls.
The ECP has said that 5,313 voters will exercise their franchise in Ward One, including 2,774 men and 2,539 women. Similarly, 4,375 voters including 2,360 male and 2,015 female voters will poll their votes in Ward 2 where four polling stations will be set up with 14 polling booths, 8 for men and 6 for women.
A total of 9,656 voters, including 5,139 male and 4,517 female voters, will exercise their right to vote in ward 3. Eight polling stations with 27 polling booths – 12 polling booths for women and 15 polling booths for men – will be set up for ward 3. There are a total of 5,786 voters in ward four – 3,167 male and 2,000 female. In ward five, 2,903 voters will exercise their right to franchise including 1,528 men and 1,375 women. A total of 12 polling booths will be set up in 4 polling stations, 6 male and 6 female voters.
Minority vote
Since the Christian and Hindu communities live in large numbers in the cantonment boards. Many candidates will also benefit from minority votes because of their poor financial position. The ruling party PTI is trying its best to attract the minority voters. Similarly, the Awami National Party has also mobilised its old minority workers. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-backed independent candidate is also trying to appease the minority voters and many promises are being made.
Voters’ expectations
The PTI candidate Hafiz Muhammad Sethi said that security is a major issue therefore after winning the election they will work for the establishment of safer community. He added that restoration of families parks, reduction in taxes, electricity load-shedding and sewerage system are some of the major demands of the people. Sethi said that PTI is in a strong position and people support PTI because of its stand against “corrupt politicians”.
A citizen Riaz Khan said that for the first time, the cantonment board elections are being taken seriously by the political parties and voters because of the political polarisation in the country. Khan said that the PTI seems in a strong position but other political parties are also campaigning to lure voters. Khan said that there are no pressing problems in the cantonment board area but high property tax is a major issue.
The Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Sohaib Rumi said that his party will emerge in a strong position. He said that there is enthusiasm for the election as youth are taking more interest which is a good sign. Rumi said that sewerage system, high taxation, high school fee and absence of family parks are some of the major issues. He said that his party has also promised to construct a Hindu Temple in the cant area.
A citizen Malik Imran said that the candidate elected through local government polls are very effective in resolving the local issues. He said that they are thankful to the government for holding the elections. Imran said that PTI candidates are in strong position and active in resolving the people issue because of their government in center and province. He said that he has never seen such enthusiasm as youth people are taking part in the election process.