October 28, 2003	Tuesday	Ramazan 1, 1424

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DADU, Oct 27: The PPP has announced to boycott the run-off election for the seat of district Naib Nazim, Dadu, scheduled to be held on Oct 28.

There is likely to be a tough contest between the Awam Dost Panel candidate, Dost Ali Jaiser, and the Dadu Ittehad Panel candidate, Zahid Ali Jatoi.

This was announced by PPP MNA and district president Rafique Ahmed Jamali, MPA Marvi Mazharul Haq, MPA Syed Murad Ali Shah and MPA Sassui Palejo at a press conference on Monday.

Rafique Ahmed Jamali alleged that about 200 councillors of the Awam Dost Panel were detained by the district police to get their votes for the Dadu Ittehad candidate.

Marvi Mazharul Haq said that the Awam Dost candidate had won the by-election held on Oct 20 and there was no provision for the run-off election in the local government ordinance 2001.

She said that the chief election commissioner had not issued the schedule for the run-off election.

PPP MPA Sassui Palejo alleged that the administration of Dadu was mounting pressure on Nazims, Naib Nazims, councillors and PPP leaders to change their loyalties.

MPA Syed Murad Ali Shah said they would continue their struggle against the DPO, operation, and the DPO, investigation, throughout the province till their transfer.

The DPO, operation, Ali Akbar Bhangwar, said that the police had neither raided the house of any councillor or PPP leader nor were they mounting pressure on any Nazim or councillor to change their loyalties.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Bhangwar said that the PPP leaders were blaming the police for trying to indulge in politics.

DEPLOYMENT OF POLICE: The returning officer and fourth additional sessions judge, Dadu, Ghulam Shabbir, on Monday directed the DPO, operation, Dadu, to deploy more police staff outside the seven polling stations throughout the district on the run-off by-election for the seat of district Naib Nazim, Dadu.

He further directed that MNAs, MPAs and police officials were not allowed in the jurisdiction of polling stations except candidates and their polling agents.

The returning officer informed the DPO, operation, to look after law and order at the polling stations.