LAHORE: The PML-N and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf -- the main contenders in NA-120 by-poll -- seemed to have no qualms about violation of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) code of conduct as they went ahead with Thursday’s political activities despite clear-cut instructions to the contrary.

Amid chorus of complaints about code violations, the ECP once again asked the political parties to stick to the ‘guidelines’. It issued a letter to the Punjab government asking it to stop rallies, processions and conventions by the political parties in the constituency.

In blatant disregard for the instructions, the PML-N organised a youth convention at Aiwan-i-Iqbal and took out rallies in the constituency. However, the party avoided media coverage at Aiwan-i-Iqbal.

The PTI also organised “Karo faisla tabdeeli ka” rally from Charing Cross to Data Darbar though the spokespersons insisted it was not an election rally but party chairman Imran Khan’s visit to Data Darbar to pay homage to the patron saint.

The PPP and the Jamaat-i-Islami organised public meetings on Temple Road and at Bhati Chowk. The political parties’ spokespersons strongly reacted to the code of conduct, saying the commission had failed to check violations by the ruling PML-N throughout the campaign despite several petitions filed by the rival parties.

As all political parties had announced rallies and processions just two days ahead of the election, the ECP finally took notice of the violation of its code. The returning officer for the by-election directed the chief secretary and the Punjab IG to ensure that no political convention or procession should be held in the constituency on Sept 14 (Thursday).

The RO desired that the code should be complied with to avoid any violation of the constitutional and legal provisions. It asked that no political party be allowed to hold rally or convention within the limits of the constituency.

PTI Information Secretary (central) Shafqat Mahmood said his party had not violated the election code of conduct. The party chairman just visited Data Darbar to pay homage to the saint, he said and claimed that the ECP’s letter to the Punjab government had no bearing on Mr Khan’s visit. “The ECP’s real test would be on election day,” he said.

JI Information Secretary Amirul Azeem said the ECP took much time to take notice of violations. He said the commission also turned a blind eye to excessive use of funds by political parties on their election campaigns. “The JI is holding its public meeting at Bhati Chowk that does not fall in NA-120,” he asserted.

The parties treated Thursday as the last day of canvassing keeping in view the final T20 cricket match between Pakistan and World XI today.

“Political parties planned to hold rallies and conventions on Thursday ahead of a crucial match between Pakistan and World XI. People will be more interested in watching the match instead of the rallies on Friday,” a political activist told Dawn.

Besides, he said, the media coverage might also be more focused on the match than the political activities. “It appears that the ECP has issued the notice keeping this in view,” he said in a lighter vein.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2017