The official results of LG elections started arriving from 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where Pakistan Tehreek-i-Isaf (PTI) is closing gap with Jamiat Ulema Islam (Fazl) (JUI-F) after clinching victory on 11 tehsil seats out of 42 seats while result of 24 Tehsils is still awaiting. According to provisional consolidated results of 42 tehsils so far, JUIF secured victory on 15 Tehsil seats followed by PTI on 11 seats, independents on five, PMLN on three and one each by PPPP, Jamat e Islami and Tahrik Reforms Pakistan respectively.
Political observers said there was a gap of only four votes between JUIF and PTI so far and it would be premature to say anything about winning or losing party unless election results of all 66 Tehsils was declared by the Election Commission of Pakistan. In the first phase, LG elections for 66 Tehsil seats were held in 17 districts of KP on December 19, out of which results of 42 Tehsil seats were officially announced by respective returning officers while results of 24 Tehsils were awaited.
As per provisional results, PTI has clinched victory at Tehsil Lower Mohmand in Mohmand tribal district where its candidate, Naveed Ahmed secured 7,931 votes, defeating JUIF’s Rashid Ahmed who obtained 7,285 votes. Similarly, PTI’s Ataullah Khan with 29,363 votes defeated ANP’s Akmal Khan who secured only 21,50 votes and clinched Tehsil Swabi chairman seat.
In a one sided contest, PTI’s Muhammad Ishaq Khattak, who is the son of defense minister, Pervez Khattak, had outclassed JUIF candidate after securing 49,084 votes against political rival Hakim Ali Khel 40,972 and clinched Tehsil Nowshera. The Jehingera tehsil of Nowshera was also clinched by PTI’s Kamran Razik Khan who secured 3,2617 votes against Jamshaid Khan’s 28014 votes. In Kakki tehsil of Bannu, PTI’s Junaidur Rashid proved his political mettle by securing 4,814 votes, defeating Jumat e Islami’s Akhtar Ali Shah who bagged 3,843 votes.
Likewise, PTI’s Sajid Iqbal with 15,021 votes outclassed JUIF’s Muhammad Rafique with 14,312 seats and won tehsil Gambat Kohat district where voters turned out remained 43 percent. Buner district continued to remain stronghold of PTI where its four tehsils was clinched by the ruling party. Buner’s Gagara tehsil was won by PTI’s Salar Jehan who secured 11,414 votes against runner up Jumat e Islami’s Rashid Ahmed 7,400 votes. The percentage of polled votes remained 41.37 percent at Gagara tehsil.
Similarly, Gadzai, Daggar and Chagara tehsils of Buner have been won by PTI candidates Sher Alam (11,505 votes), Rozi Khan (9,464 votes) and Sharif Khan (8,0550 votes), defeating ANP’s Shah Jehan (7,897 votes), JUIF’s Arifullah (7545 votes) and independent Iqbal Khan (4,888 votes) respectively.
