Opposition Parties Dominated Last Phase Of Local Body Elections

Quetta – Opposition parties of Balochistan including JUI and Awami National Party (ANP) dominated the last phase of Local body election in 5 districts of Balochistan, on Thursday.

In Qilla Abdullah, alliance of JUI and ANP defeated ruling Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) and its allies. Mailk Usman Achakzai of ANP was elected chairman and Abdul Wakeel of JUI was elected deputy chairman of district council Qilla Abdullah.

In Qilla Saifullah, JUI easily won the race for the top two slots of district. Abdul Khaliq Meerzai was elected Chairman and Toor Khan Jogezai was elected deputy chairman of Qilla Saifullah District council.

In Musakhel district, JUI once again dominated the elections and manage to elect Engineer Paiyoo Khan as Chairman and Charsham Khan as deputy chairman of district council.

Harnai district remained center of controversy in last phase of elections. Alliance of JUI and Awami Ittihad clinched victory after a close contest. Shah Jahan was elected Chairman and Pista Khan was elected deputy chairman of Harnai District council. PKMAP alleged that government machinery was used to favor its opponents in Harnai district.

In Kachi district, Rind panel stole the show and easily defeated the rival Gaello group. Sardar Khan Rind was elected Chairman and Shadi Khan Bangulzai was elected deputy chairman in District council Kachi.

Balochistan government had earlier delayed the elections of Local Governments for over 14 months.

In second last phase of local government elections, government parties were either defeated or they used Quorum card to delay the elections.

Provincial election Commissioner, Sultan Bayazeed Khan, told media that in last phase of Local body polls Quorum was reduced from two thirds to simple majority and that resulted in completion of the elections.

Staff Report

Published in The Balochistan Point on June 12, 2015