BAHAWALPUR: With the elections likely a couple of months away, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday started its functions with oath-taking of its returning officers.

District Returning Officer (DRO) Chaudhry Muhammad Tariq Javed, who is also the district and sessions judge, administered oath to 15 returning officers (ROs) of the district in his chamber. Regional Election Commissioner A.K. Mussarat Beg and District Election Commissioner Shehzad Ahmed were also present.

Talking to the media, the DRO said that in addition to the 15 ROs drawn from the subordinate judiciary, 30 assistant returning officers (AROs), also from the judiciary, have been appointed to conduct polling for five National Assembly and 10 provincial assembly seats in Bahawalpur district. Now, these 15 ROs would administer the oath of office to the AROs.

He further told the media that the election code of conduct would be strictly implemented and all candidates bound to adhere to it. He warned that any violation of the code would not be tolerated.

Talking about the facilitation of media during polling, the DRO said senior civil judge (administration) Intikhab Alam has been appointed as liaison officer for the media and a media centre would also be established for the convenience of journalists. He assured the media that they would be provided the required information regarding elections at the earliest so they could report it on time.

SUICIDE: A man who set himself alight on Sunday to protest police behaviour in Lodhran died at Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) on Monday.

Muhammad Iqbal had immolated himself to protest against Lodhran police for arresting his son in a theft case. He had claimed he had to pay Rs50,000 to ensure his son’s release, but police still did not let his son go.

This allegedly led Iqbal to commit suicide. Doctors at BVH said 95 per cent of Iqbal’s body was burnt.

AID: MPA Dr Waseem Akhtar on Monday distributed cheques worth over Rs600,000 among 25 needy people on behalf of Al-Khidmat Foundation to enable them to earn a livelihood.

Ehsanullah Chaudhry, president of the Al-Khidmat Foundation, said the foundation spent Rs25 million on various welfare projects across the district.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2018