Tough electoral battles in Mardan today

MARDAN: Fierce electoral contest is expected in Mardan district, as party and independent candidates are contesting in three national and eight provincial assembly constituencies in the general election today (Thursday).

The total registered voters in Mardan district stand at 1,538,078, including 696,382 females and 841,696 males.

The Election Commissioner has designated 1,055 polling stations, comprising 353 for men, 319 for women, and 383 combined. In the race for the three National Assembly seats, 42 candidates, including two women, are vying for victory. Simultaneously, 105 candidates, including three women, are competing for eight provincial assembly seats.

In NA-21 Mardan-1, a tough contest is expected among candidates such as Mujahid Khan (PTI independent), Azam Khan (JUI-F), Asadullah Khan (PPP), Ahmed Ali (ANP), Atta-ur-Rehman (JI), and others. Similarly, in NA-22 Mardan-II, contenders like Haider Hoti (ANP), Atif Khan (PTI independent), Syed Abid Ali Shah (PPP), and Maulana Shujaul Mulak (RJUI) are likely to face intense competition.

For NA-23 Mardan-III, tough competition is anticipated between candidates like Ahmed Khan Bahadur (ANP), Ali Muhammad Khan (PTI independent), Kalemullah Khan (JUI-F), Shoaib Alam Khan (PPP), and Jalal Khan Khattak (PML-N).

Candidates are also contesting the provincial assembly seats of PK-54 Mardan-1, PK-55 Mardan-2, PK-56 Mardan-III, PK-57 Mardan-4, PK-58 Mardan-5, PK-59 Mardan-6, PK-60 Mardan-7, and PK-61 Mardan-8.

Political analysts predict fierce competition among ANP, JUIF, PMLN, PTI, and PPP candidates across the district. However, the turnout is expected to be low, as common people have shown limited interest in the general election. The parties that succeed in mobilising their voters to polling stations are likely to win seats.