LAHORE: Chief Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to take stern action at any violation of the election code of conduct, announcing that the government servants found supporting political parties and those who avoiding election duty would be punished.

Presiding over a meeting held here to review arrangements for 2018 general elections at the Civil Secretariat, he said holding of free, fair and transparent elections was a priority of the government and all possible cooperation would be extended to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for achieving the objective.

He sought regular submission of reports regarding implementation of the ECP code of conduct and action taken against the violators.

He asked the inspector general of prisons to make arrangements for the casting of votes by prisoners.

180 teachers served notices for avoiding election training

The additional home secretary was asked to operationalise central control room for monitoring of the elections.

The ACS said Section 144 had been imposed in the province from June 29 to July 28 to maintain law and order during the general elections, banning display of weapons, wall-chalking, misuse of loudspeaker and hate speech.

The provincial election commissioner briefed the meeting about polling stations, polling scheme and printing of ballot papers. He said the government servants could apply to the returning officers concerned for issuance of postal ballots.

He said the ECP would consider only those cases of transfers and postings that would be sent through the chief secretary.

The secretary of schools education department said the 180 teachers from Lahore who did not report for election training had been issued show cause notices, and would be proceeded against under PEEDA.

Alternate staff had been asked to report to the ECP for training, he added.

The meeting was attended by secretaries of different departments, including local government, schools education, higher education and officers concerned.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2018