The candidates of all mainstream politico-religious parties and independents have expedited election campaigns and corner meetings to inform the masses about their election manifestos after submitting nomination papers for different constituencies for general election 2024.
The scrutiny of nomination papers continued in the respective offices of returning officers in all 37 districts of KP where the process would be completed by December 30, 2023. Eying on national and provincial assemblies, the stalwarts of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamiatul Ulema Islam-F (JUI-F), Jumat e Islami Pakistan and Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI) have mostly fielded political heavyweights to clinch maximum seats from Khyber Pakthunkhwa and form government for next five years. On NA-28 Peshawar-I, a total of 33 candidates filed papers including former member national assembly, Noor Alam Khan of JUI-F, former minister KP, Taimur Salim Jhagra of PTI and ex-speaker KP assembly, Kirmatulla Khan Chagarmatti of PPP.
Similarly, on NA-29 Peshawar-11, as many as 22 candidates submitted their nomination papers including former MNA Amir Ayub Khan, former MPA Sobia Shahid and Tahir Nadeem while 27 candidates would try their luck on NA-30 Peshawar-III including former MNA Shah G Gul Afridi of PML-N, ex MNA Nasir Khan Musazai of JUI-F and ex MPA Khalid Waqar Chamkani.
On NA 31-Peshawawr-IV, a total of 30 candidates filed nomination papers including former MNA Arbab Sher Ali, Arbab Zarak Khan, Arbab Alamigr Khan. Tough electoral battle is expected on NA-32 Peshawar’s constituency mostly comprised on city areas among ANP’s leader and former federal minister, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat and Shah Jee Gul Afridi of PML-N. “The literacy rate in Peshawar was high compare to other districts where most people were associated with trade and business and the role of young voters would play a crucial role in deciding fate of the candidates,” said Muhammad Rauf Khan, Chairman Political Science Department, University of Peshawar while talking to APP.
Similarly, former Chief Minister and vice Chairman of PTI-P, Mahmood Khan, PMLN Engr Amir Muqam, and PTI’s Murad Saeed have submitted nomination for different seats of national assembly in Swat where tough electoral battle is expected among mainstream political parties. Besides political parties, transgender community and minorities’ women were also flexing their muscles in different constituencies in KP. Dr Saveera Parkah, who is representing Hindu community.
