<p>SHARANA (Pajhwok): After a prolonged delay, provincial council members of southeastern Paktika province on Saturday held the administrative board election, electing Bakhtiar Gul Himmat Zadran as the council chief.</p>
<p>The ballot took place in the presence of provincial Independent Election Commission and provincial government officials.</p>
<p>Nimatullah Babri was elected as Zadran’s deputy and Hanifa Katawazai as the provincial council secretary.</p>
<p>Former provincial council head Afsar Khan Sulimankhel on the occasion said he would work with the new leadership shoulder by shoulder to his level best.</p>
<p>After his election, the new PC chief told Pajhwok Afghan News the council would serve as a bridge between the government and the masses and every demand of people would be conveyed to the provincial and central authorities.</p>
<p>He said this time the administrative board election took place in the presence of all members whose previous differences had been resolved.</p>
<p>A member of the council, who wished not to be named, told Pajhwok Afghan News that ex-PC chief Afsar Khan and the new chief had differences over the council leadership.</p>
<p>Their differences had divided the council into two groups, he said, adding one group attended the previous election and the second did not.</p>
<p>The provincial council has nine members, including two <a href="/en/women" class="glossify-link">women</a>.</p>
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