ISLAMABAD: The Election Com­mission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought deployment of army personnel inside and outside polling stations for the crucial by-election in the National Assembly constituency of NA-120, Lahore.

The by-poll for the seat that fell vacant because of disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers case is scheduled to take place on Sept 17.

The former premier’s wife, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, is contesting the election as a candidate of the ruling Pak­istan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

A senior ECP official told Dawn on Thursday that in a letter the commission had asked the Ministry of Defence to deploy army personnel both in and around the polling stations on polling day.

Notices issued to two PML-N leaders for spending govt funds in NA-120 constituency

The troops would be performing their duty till the end of the polling time, the ECP official said.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which has fielded Dr Yasmin Rashid for the election, had demanded the deployment of army men on the polling day. It was PTI secretary general Jehangir Tarin who had first demanded of the ECP to seek army’s help for the purpose.

The returning officer (RO) for the constituency had also sought deployment of army men for the crucial poll.

In a related development, the ECP has served notices on Punjab minister Bilal Yasin and PML-N legislator Majid Zahoor for allegedly spending government funds in the NA-120 constituency in an effort to drum up support for Begum Nawaz.

In its notices to the two PML-N leaders, the ECP has said: “Dr Yasmin Rashid has complained that development work in the constituency is being carried out under your supervision.”

“After the issuance of election schedule, no developmental work / project can be carried out in the constituency where elections are being held.

“In view of the above position, you are advised to refrain from such activities so that by-election is held in accordance with the law. You are also advised to submit your comments on the subject matter within a period of three days for further necessary action,” the notices added.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2017