Tough Electoral Bouts Expected In By-elections On One NA, Nine PA Seats On Oct-14 In KP

The electoral temperature was surging with each passing day as the candidates have geared up electioneering campaign for the by elections on one NA seat and nine provincial assembly constituencies due for October 14 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Sep, 2018 ) :The electoral temperature was surging with each passing day as the candidates have geared up electioneering campaign for the by elections on one NA seat and nine provincial assembly Constituencies due for October 14 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The lone NA seat where by election would be held has been vacated by Chairman PTI, Imran Khan in Bannu (NA-35). The constituency considered to be the stronghold of JUI-F was won by PTI on July 25 with nearly 7000 votes.

Both JUI-F supremos Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Akram Khan Durrani have refrained from participating in the by election on NA-35 and instead fielded a comparatively low profile candidate Zahid Khan Durrani, the son of Akram Khan Durrani. Both are on record having said that they don't want to contest on a seat left over by Imran Khan.

For October 14, NA 35 to witness close contest between MMA's Zahid Khan Durrani and Maulana Naseem Ali Shah of PTI. Keeping in view ground realities Akram Khan Durrani possesses a considerable personal vote bank in the constituency. The PTI seems to be divided in the constituency as Imran Khan changed the candidate in the constituency in the by election at the eleventh hour.

The general election on PK-78 (Peshawar) and PK-99 (D I Khan) were postponed due to the assassinations of the electoral candidates Haroon Bilour and Ikaramullah Khan respectively in suicide blasts. For October 14 ANP has fielded Samar Bilour, the widow of Haroon Bilour on PK-78 by elections against Muhammad Irfan of PTI.

On PK-99 (D I Khan) PTI has fielded Sardar Aghaz Gandapur, son of slain Ikramullah Khan Gandapur against the JUI-F candidate.

The family of slain Gandapurs has won this seat in the past for several times. Israrullah Khan Gandapur was eliminated in a suicide blast in 2013 general election while his younger brother Ikramullah Gandapur was assassinated in 2018 general elections.

It is to be mention here that Inayatullah Khan Gandapur, father of the two slain Gandapurs also served as chief minister of the province during senior Bhutto regime.

PK-97 another D I Khan seat where by election is due has been vacated by Ali Ameen Gandapur after he opted to retain in NA constituency 38. Ali Ameen defeated Maulan Fazlur Rehman in July 25 elections. Faisal Ameen Gandapur, brother of Ali Ameen Gandapur will contest from the constituency on PTI ticket. The political observers in the constituency believe that MMA can give a surprise in by election.

Dr Amjad Ali of PTI vacated PK-7 Swat and retained PK-6 Swat in the July 25th election. He defeated ANP's Waqar Ahmed Khan by a margin of 6000 votes. In PK-7 the electoral contest would be a tough battle as the candidate of joint opposition can pose a serious threat to the PTI candidate.

PK-3 Swat vacated by Dr Haider Ali of PTI is also set for the by-election.

Asad Qesar, Speaker National Assembly vacated PK-44 seat and fielded his brother Aqib ullah Khan for the October 14 by-elections.

Similarly, former KP Chief Minster and PTI leader, Pervez Khattak (sitting Defense Minister) has vacated two PA constituencies, PK-61 and 64, Nowshera. Liaquat Khattak and Ibrahim Khattak (brother and son of Pervez Khattak) are now in the field for by-election from PTI ticket.

PK-23 Mardan that was vacated by ANP leader Ameer Haider Khan Hoti after he opted he opted for the NA constituency. Hoti defeated Umer Farooq of PTI by a margin of 7000 votes.

PK-71 (Peshawar) has been vacated by Shah Farman of PTI after he was elevated to the post of Governor KP. The by-election is due to be held on October 21 as Shah Farman vacated the seat after casting his vote in the presidential election on September 4. Farman took oath as Governor onSeptember 5th.

Brother of Governor Shah Farman is contesting on PTI ticket from the constituency.