LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notice to the Punjab Police inspector general for violating its directions by ordering transfers and postings of police officials in Punjab Assembly’s constituency PP-158, Lahore, where by-polls are to be held on July 17.

The notice issued to the IGP by the returning officer for the constituency on May 28 says that the ECP had announced the scheduled for by-polls for 20 provincial assembly seats on May 25 and the IGP office had been intimated about it on May 26 that no transfers and posting would take place in the constituencies until the official announcement regarding the returned candidates. But, the senior superintendent of police (SSP) (operations) and other officers have been transferred and posted in Lahore in violation of the ECP directions, the notice reads.

The IGP was asked to withdraw orders for the transfers and postings till the completion of the by-polls process for ensuring the conduct of a free and fair polling process.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2022