September 20, 2005	Tuesday	Sha'aban 15, 1426

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FAISALABAD, Sept 19: The candidates for city district nazim slot, town councils and reserved seats for peasants, women and minorities are recklessly using money and resources in their campaigns in blatant disregard of election code.

The local Election Commission authorities, the returning officers, district administration and all other concerned seem to have become hapless to check these violations by influential candidates in both rural and urban areas of the district.

The district administrative officers, police functionaries and other authorities concerned have conducted series of meetings with the candidates to enforce election rules. However, all such efforts have proved futile.

It is observed that the candidates are holding election meetings in posh hotels, where voters are served with lavish meals. Some of the candidates are offering ‘gift hampers’ to lure potential voters during their election meetings.

Use of loudspeakers, derogatory slogans against opponents, mudslinging, hoisting of party flags, are common practices at political meetings.

In the rural areas, the menace of biradrism has become a main instrument for the candidates to muster support.

Some candidates are inviting female voters at their houses in the name of ‘religious congregations’.

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