PESHAWAR, July 29: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar has stressed the need for strict implementation of the code of conduct during the forthcoming local government elections and warned that violators would be dealt with an iron hand.

Talking to newsmen after attending a briefing in connection with the local government elections at the civil secretariat, here, Justice Dogar said that the local polls would be held as scheduled and dismissed rumours regarding any delay as baseless and false.

The polls would be free, fair and impartial, he said adding that all arrangements were complete in this connection.

He said that apprehensions of some political parties about fairness of the local government elections in Karachi were baseless, as he himself had made a visit to the place and reviewed the situation there.

However, if needed, services of the armed forces could be acquired, he added.

He said that candidates using the name of any political party, its flag or funds, would be brought to justice.