VEHARI, Jan 10: Violations of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s instructions to the political parties have become the order of the day as the entire official machinery was mobilised on Thursday to accord a befitting welcome to former chief minister Pervaiz Elahi in Mailsi.

Pervaiz Elahi is scheduled to address a workers’ convention at Fadda Town, the hometown of PML-Q candidates Aftab Ahmad Khichi (NA-169) and Aurangzeb Khichi (NA-170). He is also expected to pay a visit to Burewala.

It is learnt that the Khichis are not too happy about the PML-Q provincial head’s visit which has been ‘imposed’ on them. Sources close to the Khichi family told Dawn that at a meeting of party candidates in Islamabad during the past week, Aurangzeb Khichi had asked Pervaiz Elahi to give time to them; something he did as a formality and not for any specific reason.

He knew that Pervaiz Elahi’s visit would not boost his campaign, rather it would cast negative impact due to the prevailing sympathy wave in favour of the PPP in Mailsi tehsil.

Khichi, sources said, was hardly expecting a positive response from Pervaiz Elahi but to his utter surprise, the latter accepted the invitation. Sources said Aurangzeb Khichi was still in Islamabad when he received a phone call from Vehari District Coordination Officer Hameedullah Sheikh who told him that Pervaiz Elahi would visit Mailsi on Jan 11.

Information gleaned by Dawn revealed that the district administration had directed schoolteachers, patwaris and other government employees to ensure their participation in the public gathering at Fadda Town. The entire Vehari administration and police would be present at the venue to seek votes for the PML-Q.

A day before the ex-chief minister’s expected visit, the district government officials were seen busy displaying election banners and posters at the public gathering venue. This correspondent saw a number of official vehicles carrying the PML-Q flags and announcing on loudspeakers in rural areas the planned visit.

The DCO, however, denied having been involved in preparations for Pervaiz Elahi’s visit. He was in Burewala to review the arrangements.

Officials of the TMA said they were working at the meeting site under the directions of the higher-ups of district administration.

Talking to Dawn, PPP District President Mahmood Hayat Toochi Khan, an aspirant for a National Assembly slot, accused Pervaiz Elahi of holding meeting in Vehari with the help of DCO and other district government officials. He demanded that the government should immediately transfer all officials who had been posted in the district for the last three years because in their presence the slogan of free, fair and transparent election would remain a hollow claim.

He demanded that the ECP should take suo motu notice of the “pre-poll rigging”.