DERA GHAZI KHAN, July 17: The election commission office has allegedly registered minority representatives in union councils of Dera Ghazi Khan where they do not reside on the direction of the former district nazim.

Ex-nazim Jamal Khan Leghari is also the ruling PML district president.

The allegation has been levelled by a former union council nazim in an application he had sent to the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.

According to reports, Mr Leghari had allegedly used his influence for registration of minority voters in 50 of the 59 union councils in the district to muster maximum possible support.

Nazar Khan Mureedani, a former nazim of Notak Mehmeed UC, requested the CEC to cancel the illegal registration of votes of minority representatives. He said except Wahowa in Taunsa Sharif tehsil where Hindu community lives and three urban union councils of Dera Ghazi Khan tehsil where Christians reside, minority representatives do not reside elsewhere.

It is pertinent to mention that 407 male and 383 female voters of minority will cast their votes in the local-body election in the district.

A representative of minority told this correspondent on the request of anonymity that the exercise had been done in most of the UCs by the Leghari group.

Deputy Election Commissioner Tariq Qadri, when contacted, said the commission had taken the decision on the applications of minority representatives.

Jamal Leghari denied the charge that he had abused power and said the issue was being played up by his political rivals.