HYDERABAD, Sept 30: The PPP candidate for PS-85, Thatta district, Ms Sassui Palejo, has accused Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro, provincial minister Ejaz Ali Shah Shirazi, and Thatta District Nazim Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi of violating the code of conduct announced by the Election Commission.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Monday, she said her opponent, Ayaz Shirazi, was the son of the provincial minister and nephew of the district Nazim who were harassing PPP workers.

She said the government machinery and resources of the district council were being used for the election campaign of Ayaz.

The PPP candidate said the Sindh governor during his recent visit to Thatta district had publicly stated the people should vote for candidates who were supporting Gen Pervez Musharraf.

She said houses of PPP supporters were being raided and they were being arrested and added supporters of the Shirazis were exhibiting arms in public and had resorted to firing on more than one occasion.

Ms Palejo said she had also addressed a communication to the Chief Election Commissioner, highlighting corrupt practices of the Shirazis, but in vain.

She appealed to the Election Commission and European Union observers to take notice of the violations of the election rules by the Shirazis, Sindh governor, provincial minister and the Thatta district Nazim.

Our Thatta correspondent adds: Ms Palejo has said the election campaign of Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro for the Shirazi group’s candidates during his recent visit to Thatta has exposed the government’s designs and claims for being impartial in the election.

She was speaking at a public gathering in Dhabeji on Monday.

She said candidates of the Shirazi group were using all possible means and the state machinery to defeat PPP candidates.