SARGODHA, Aug 24: The official nomination of Humair Hayat Rokhri for Mianwali district nazim slot by Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has been widely criticized as one of the government tactics to influence the voters.

The second-term nomination of Mr Rokhri was announced through a press release issued by provincial information department.

Criticizing the press release, the leaders of local Khidmat group said it was nothing but an attempt to influence the voters who were inclined towards the group. A leader requesting anonymity alleged that as Mr Rokhri was a close relative of Chaudhrys of Gujrat, he was nominated for the slot to turn the district’s voters in his favour.

He demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan should take notice of this ‘favour’ by the Punjab government to Rokhari group.

He alleged provincial minister Gul Hamid Rokhari was utilizing all government resources in the election campaign of Rokhri group.

Many opposition-backed candidates also termed the nomination pre-poll rigging and demanded action on the part of election commission to ensure free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, Amir Khan, a spokesman for Rokhari group, claimed that their opponents were making false propaganda to cover up their malpractices. He accused federal minister Dr Sher Afgan and provincial minister Sibtain Khan of misusing their powers and sources of their respective ministries.

He alleged both the ministers were holding corner meetings and were going door to door by official vehicles, claiming that Gul Hamid Rokhari was using a private car for canvassing.

Similarly, in Bhakkar, the Shahanis have criticized the Punjab chief minister’s announcement to nominate Hameed Akbar Niwani as a candidate for district nazim slot for the second term.

Analysts say that though after the nomination Rokhris’ position has improved in Mianwali district, but still a close contest is expected in most of the union councils.

The Niwanis are sailing in safe waters except in a few union councils of Bhakkar and Kallur Kot tehsils, they say.