LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s candidate for NA-120 by-poll Dr Yasmin Rashid and the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday met the returning officer and alleged that development works were going on in the constituency despite announcement of the election schedule, also presenting footage showing the “violation”.

In the meeting, Dr Rashid also expressed her apprehensions about the polling scheme, expressing her grave concern over the non-removal of 29,000 voters from the lists, who could not be identified despite sending notices.

Punjab Assembly Opposition leader Mahmoodur Rasheed alleged roads were being re-carpeted in the constituency and power transformers were being changed. He also claimed that ad hoc jobs were being given to pro-PML-N youngsters, terming it all pre-poll rigging by the ruling party.

He said the PTI had paid charges for putting up its election banners, hoardings and steamers but the material was removed within a day, while the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) itself got installed Kulsoom Nawaz’s banners and hoardings.

“If all this was not stopped immediately, we will stage a (protest) sit-in on The Mall,” he warned.

Mr Rasheed said the RO had been informed that the election commission could rectify many issues before holding the elections, if it wanted to exercise its powers.

Dr Rashid said she was contesting the by-poll against “Queen” and demanded that the development works be stopped forthwith.

She said Imran Khan was not visiting her constituency abiding by the poll code, but on the other hand two PML-N ministers had accompanied Maryam Nawaz Sharif who was running her mother’s campaign.

She also objected to the official security being accorded to the disqualified prime minister’s daughter using public money. She stressed that the ECP should take notice of code of conduct violations.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2017