The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday took notice of allegations that the PML-N was using the chief minister's office and provincial development funds to run an election campaign for Kulsoom Nawaz, the sister-in-law of Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, for the NA-120 by-poll.

PPP candidate for NA-120 Faisal Mir had a day earlier demanded that the ECP take notice of PML-N’s alleged use of public funds and government machinery to influence and rig the results of the by-polls.

Mir had further alleged that, “Federal Minister Pervaiz Malik and MNA Hamza Shahbaz, along with provincial ministers and MPs, are using the Chief Minister’s Office to run an election campaign for Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.”

Taking notice of a Dawn story on the matter, the ECP directed the provincial chief secretary and Punjab’s inspector general of police to take action against any violations of its code of conduct for elections under Article 204 of the Constitution read with 103(a) of the Representation of People Act, 1976.

A press release from the ECP also announced that the watchdog has asked for the details of development funds released for different constituencies; warning that no development funds should be released for NA-120 before the by-polls, which are to be held on September 17.

According to the ECP press release, the commission had issued a code of conduct “with the election schedule, to ensure that the spirit of democracy and fairness, justness and honesty of election is fully observed by all concerned.”