RAWALPINDI: After observing violations of the code of conduct during the first phase of the local government elections, the provincial government asked local parliamentarians to play their proactive role to ensure smooth and peaceful elections during the second and third phases.

The regional police chiefs were also directed to confiscate weapons used in various untoward incidents during the first phase of the elections and get their licences cancelled. 

The police chiefs, returning officers, district coordination officers and law enforcement agencies had also been asked to instruct the candidates to strictly follow the code of conduct during the second and third phases of the elections.

A source said during the first phase the provincial authorities had observed that victory processions were not stopped despite clear instructions from the home department. The winning candidates and their supporters were also seen using fireworks and resorting to firing into the air in jubilation.

In addition, gatherings of political workers in the election offices and close to the polling stations were also observed.

Due to the unavailability and misprinting of ballot papers, some polling stations were opened late but it was not specified at which places the delay had occurred.

Moreover, surety bonds were not obtained from the candidates. The lack of implementation of the code of conduct by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the law enforcement agencies was also observed during the first phase.

According to the source, in the wake of the shortcomings, the provincial government asked the authorities concerned in the 12 districts - Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Attock, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Toba Take Singh, Chinot, Khanewal and Sahiwal - to follow a zero tolerance policy regarding the violation of the code of conduct during the second phase of LB.

In the second phase, polling was held in 12 districts of Punjab on Thursday.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Mohammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja told Dawn that in line with the ban on the display of arms, 200 weapons were confiscated from the contesting candidates one week prior to the elections.

“The weapons will be returned to them three days after the polling day,” he added.

The RPO said polling in Attock and Jhelum was held peacefully as no untoward incident happened during the process.

He said extra police squad had been constituted to prevent contesting candidates from carrying out rallies and processions after the election results were announced.

He said quick response force personnel, including elite commandoes, had also been deployed close to the election camps to prevent any untoward incident and unlawful gatherings.

“Surety bonds were also sought from the contesting candidates for not holding rallies and processions,” the RPO said.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2015