PTI lags behind independents in KP LB by-polls

PESHAWAR: The recent by-elections for local bodies across 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa went largely unnoticed by national media, overshadowed by intense political dynamics.

This lack of coverage left significant results in the background: voters in the province decisively turned away from political parties, delivering a strong message. Despite backing from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), their candidates faced major losses, while independent candidates emerged victorious in many areas.

PTI and other political parties claim they have secured victories in multiple seats. Still, independent sources stated that seven PTI-supported candidates, five ANP, two PMLN, two PPP, and one Jamaat-e-Islami candidate won their respective seats.

These by-elections were held in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, D I Khan, Tank, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kolai Pallas, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Lower Dir, and Bajaur, brought 345,604 registered voters to the polls.

The Election Commission conducted the elections for 54 vacant seats across 53 village and neighborhood councils. Political analysts note that major political parties, deeply preoccupied with national issues, seemed indifferent to these local elections. This sentiment was echoed by Peshawar’s Mayor, Haji Zubair, who expressed frustration that, while the provincial government seeks additional powers, it fails to empower local representatives. As financial strains grip local institutions, with little funding support from the government, both public and party interest in local elections appears to have waned.

Our correspondents paint a detailed picture: in Abbottabad, two independent and two PTI-backed candidates won out of four seats. In Karak, independent candidates claimed both seats, while in Kohat, the single seat went to an independent candidate. Buner saw a split, with PTI securing one seat and the second ending in a tie. Independent candidates claimed all the four seats in Mansehra, while in Tank, Jamaat-e-Islami and an independent candidate each secured one of the two seats. Notably, in the constituency of Chief Minister Ali Amin, two PTI-backed candidates won, alongside one PPP victory, yet five independent candidates also succeeded.

In Lower Dir, ANP won two seats, while PTI and PPP won one seat each. In Charsadda, eight candidates were elected unopposed, and ANP, PTI, and an independent candidate each claimed a seat. In Nowshera, ANP and JUIF won one seat each. Lakki Marwat saw PTI secured one seat, while an independent candidate claimed the other. Swat witnessed one seat each going to ANP, PTI, and an independent candidate. In Shangla, PMLN captured two seats, with one seat going to an independent candidate. In Swabi, ANP won one seat, while independent candidates secured two seats. Bajaur saw three seats go to independents, while JUIF took one.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi claims that despite the current situation — where the PTI name is banned, we have no electoral symbol, and we did not field any candidates — PTI-supported independent candidates have still won the majority of local council seats in the province. In the recent by-elections, independent candidates have secured victory in 42 seats across the province, with approximately 38 of them being PTI supporters.

Awami National Party (ANP) spokesperson and provincial information secretary Arsalan Nazim praised his party’s performance in the recent local bodies elections, stating that ANP achieved victories in several seats across the province, particularly in Swat, Dir, Lakki Marwat, and other districts. He added that the ruling party’s severe defeat in these by-elections reflects public distrust in the provincial government’s performance and PTI’s policies. He further stated that the people of the province have now recognised the true face of this “troublemaking” party.

Unofficial results reveal notable outcomes in Peshawar’s Khalizai Village Council 23, where independent candidate Irfanullah topped the votes with 792, closely followed by fellow independent Hazrat Gul with 742 votes. In Ahmad Khel 22, independent Muhammad Usman won first place with 869 votes, followed by PTI-backed Muhammad Abuzar Ghafari with 451 votes. Achini Bala 32 saw independent candidate Momina Bibi claim the women’s seat with 387 votes, followed by independent candidate Khayal Waro with 214 votes. In Hassan Khel Barki Village Council, independent Reema Bibi led for the women’s seat with 349 votes, ahead of PTI’s Bas Roza Bibi, who garnered 166 votes. Gulshanabad Mattani had independent candidate Malik Bilal securing first with 1,057 votes, with Namus Khan following at 760 votes. In VC 61 Adezai, JUI candidate Maulana Irfanullah emerged victorious with 790 votes.