SIALKOT, Aug 1: Candidates are involved in flagrant violation of election code of conduct in Sialkot and Narowal districts despite tall claims of stern action against violators by the election commission. Candidates having the support of the ruling party are no exception to the violation of election rules and regulations. They are equally involved along with other candidates of all political parties in wall chalking, displaying banners and projecting themselves on cable networks.

Former Karimpura union council nazim Imran alias Mani; Khalid Waseem advocate, candidate for nazim seat from Uggoki UC; Muhammad Rafique, nazim’s candidate from Kotli Behram UC; Shahnawaz Cheema, nazim’s candidate from Model Town UC, Sialkot; and many others have appeared on local cable networks.

Local cable networks have announced special election package for candidates. The ruling party-backed candidates are pledging to undertake development projects in their respective union councils to allure voters in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Bhopalwala, Uggoki, Satrah, Pasrur, Chawinda, Badiana, Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Kot Nainaan, Noorkot, Baddo Malhi, Narowal and their surrounding areas.

Photographs of candidates with giant portraits of President Pervez Musharraf, the prime minister, the chief minister, the governor and opposition leaders Benazir Bhutto, Mian Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari have also been displayed in both urban and rural areas.

In Daska, candidates for nazim seat, Javaid Iqbal Butt (PML-backed), Yahya Gulnawaz Ghuman (PML-N) and Chaudhry Arshad Mehmood (PPP) in Model Town UC, Daska; Malik Muhammad Ashraf (PML) in Daska Kalan UC; Malik Muhammad Ashraf (PPP), Azeem Mughal (PML-N) and others have displayed their giant election banners.

All the main political parties are taking part in electioneering for tickets have been issued to candidates in violation of election commission’s instructions of holding local polls on a non-party basis. Also on the forefront are sitting parliamentarians both from the treasury and opposition benches, who are busy in the election campaign of their candidates. In stark violation, candidates are arranging corner meetings by blocking roads and serving meals in their constituencies.

When contacted, an election commission spokesman came clean of receiving complaints with regard to the violation of election rules and regulations. However, he claimed that the EC had directed the law enforcement agencies to take legal action against violators.