LAHORE: The nominees of various political parties as well as independent candidates in the run for the National Assembly constituency NA-120, Lahore-III, have alleged use of the state resources, besides other violations of the code of conduct by the ruling PML-N.

The complaints about violations of the code of conduct surfaced during a meeting the Election Commission of Pakistan held here on Tuesday, where the candidates were invited to share their views regarding the so far implementation of the code in NA-120.

Faisal Mir of the PPP and Dr Yasmin Rashid of the PTI, besides others, complained that the Punjab government was using state resources to secure win for the PML-N candidate Ms Nawaz and demanded that development work allegedly initiated in the constituency after announcement of the by-election schedule should be immediately stopped.

They also sought strict monitoring of election expenses and any removal of banners, posters and flexes of opposition parties in violation of the election code.

The candidates unanimously demanded that a contestant repeatedly violating the code of conduct be tried and penalised under section 103-A of the People’s Representative Act and disqualified from taking part in the by-poll.

They sought deployment of armed forces, both inside and outside the polling stations, and in time provision of the polling scheme.

Punjab Election Commissioner Sharifullah told the participants that the ECP was already monitoring electioneering for the by-poll through various teams and issuing notices in case(s) of violations of the code of conduct.

He said the Lahore deputy commission and the lord mayor as well as the Punjab Horticulture Authority director general had also been contacted for the purpose. He said the draft polling scheme had already been provided to the candidates on Aug 17, while the final plan would be given 15 days before the polling day in accordance with the law.

The district returning officer, returning officers and other relevant officials of the ECP also attended the meeting, said a press release.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017