In Bajaur, an assault by secret agency personnel on polling staff has led to a full boycott of election duties.
Journalist Zubair Ali Khan reported to We News that four agents entered the office aggressively, misbehaved, demanded sensitive data, and insisted on staff changes.
Following the assault, the Returning Officer of Bajaur filed a formal complaint with the District Returning Officer, citing unauthorized agency interference. The district administration responded by closing its offices as a form of protest.
The Clerk Association in Bajaur has demanded the immediate transfer of the involved agents. The Association’s president announced the boycott will continue until these agents are reassigned. He also warned that any unauthorized entry by the agents would be challenged.
Shakir Awan publicized a video that underscored the ongoing tension. Meanwhile, the NA-8 Returning Officer in Bajaur formally complained about four intelligence agency agents. He charged them with attempting to alter polling staff assignments and assaulting staff members when their demands were rejected.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has recognized the severity of the situation and initiated formal investigations.
The incident, reported by the Additional Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer of Bajaur, occurred just before Friday prayers. He detailed that the agents demanded staff changes and resorted to undue pressure when denied. The agents returned during his lunch break, assaulted the staff, causing injuries requiring hospital care, and even brandished guns before fleeing.
The Deputy Commissioner has called for stringent measures against the agents. The district administration staff have maintained their protest, keeping offices shut and persisting in their boycott of election duties. They confirmed that although election materials will be distributed on April 20th, they will not perform election duties.
Additionally, the district staff held a protest rally, demanding the transfer of the implicated agents from Bajaur. They vowed to continue their protest until their conditions were met, emphasizing the agents’ forceful entry, violent actions, and interference in official duties.
