05 December 2004	Sunday	22 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar directed the government on Saturday not to use state resources to influence the upcoming by-election in Malakand.

The acting CEC, who is a judge of the Supreme Court, directed the executive authorities of the centre as well as the NWFP not to use the state machinery in the constituency NA-35 Malakand for unfair advantage to any of the contesting candidates in the Dec 15 by-election.

The directive was issued after the commission took serious notice of reports that state resources were being used in the by-election.

Senators from the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and the People's Party Parliamentarians had alleged that state resources were being used in the election campaign of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League candidate Salim Saifullah Khan.

The acting EC also directed the executive authorities to act neutrally and impartially during the by-election and not to use official influence or government patronage in favour of any candidate.

The District Returning Officer, Malakand, was also directed by the acting CEC to ensure free, fair, impartial and transparent by-election in Malakand.

Justice Dogar visited the EC secretariat and the Federal Judicial Academy.

In a briefing to the acting CEC, EC Secretary Kanwar Dilshad highlighted the objectives of the establishment of the academy and said its basic purpose was to provide electoral and administrative training to officers of the commission.

The academy will also enable the officers of the commission to get acquainted with the election laws and enhance their efficiency in the electoral process.