HYDERABAD, Sept 13: The deputy convener, coordination committee, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Aftab Sheikh, has complained to the European Union election observation mission of violation of code of conduct here by its rival parties, especially Mohajir Qaumi Movement.

Sheikh, who is contesting elections for NA-220 (Hyderabad- III) seat, called on the mission members, Jordan Robert and Sauchez de Nogues here on Friday.

He told them that in Hyderabad and Karachi roundabouts and government buildings was covered with flags of the MQM and election symbol of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal whereas his party flags and elections symbols were being removed by the police.

He said that the MQM was creating problems in the way of the Muttahida’s electioneering, adding that the activists of the former party were displaying weapons.

Meanwhile, talking to a group of newsmen after meeting the EU mission, Sheikh said that his party was all set to take part in the elections and prove that it was as popular among the people as it used to be in the past.

He said that his party had proved that it wanted to bridge the gap between Sindhi and Urdu-speaking people.

Referring to the issue of the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh, he said that the Muttahida wanted to bring them back and settle them in Rawalpindi but the Sindhi-speaking people had some reservations over their repatriation as they thought that the stranded Pakistanis would be settled in Sindh.

To a question about the rumours of postponement of elections, he said that the general elections were necessary for the government because rescheduling of Pakistan’s loans was linked with the restoration of democracy in the country.

To a question about the expected chief minister of Sindh, Shiekh said that there was no hard and fast rule about chief minister of the province and added that his party had accepted the chief minister of Pakistan Muslim League-N which did not have absolute majority in the Sindh Assembly.

Meanwhile, the EU mission called on Deputy Election Commissioner of Hyderabad, Imran Siddiqui, at his office in Shahbaz building.

They exchanged views with him about electoral process in Hyderabad.

Adds our Bureau: A two-member European Union Mission, which is here to observe the election process, called on SDA leaders Saulat Pasha, Sharif Koti, Syed Khalid Jafri, Dr Najeeb Memon, and Prof Sadaruddin at the Alliance’s office on Friday.

The mission comprising Manuel Sanchez De Nogues G of Spain and Alistair Robert Jordan of England made inquiries about the election process and complaints regarding it.

Saulat Pasha, who is the SDA general secretary, Hyderabad District, informed the EU observers that the SDA was fully satisfied with the election arrangements and it had no complaints against anyone.

He, however, said that the price fixed for the voters list, Rs15,000 for the provincial assembly, and over Rs30,000 for the National Assembly seats was too much.

He said each candidate had to obtain at least five voters’ lists, which meant expenses of Rs75,000 for a provincial assembly candidate and Rs125,000 for a National Assembly candidate.

Mr Pasha said the majority of the candidates could not afford such a huge expenditure just on the voters’ lists.

He further said that all the parties should be treated equally for displaying banners and holding public meetings.

He also urged the EU observers to go to Occupied Kashmir and take stock of the election process there.