ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) with a request to disqualify two candidates contesting the local government elections from union council 41.

Officials on Tuesday said a report prepared regarding the two candidates – one from the PTI and the other an independent – by the Industrial Area police was sent to the senior superintendent of police (SSP) with a request to have them disqualified by ECP because the candidates were involved in violating the election code of conduct.

The report was sent to the ECP from the SSP office.

Police said an armed clash took place in I-9/1 on November 14 between the two candidates’ groups in which two people were injured.

A police inquiry into the matter suggested that supporters of one of the UC-41 candidates, Khalil Salar, took out a rally. When the rally reached the office of the opposing candidate, Malik Abid, it was intercepted by Mr Abid’s supporters coming from the PTI camp office.

Police said the situation grew tense as both groups began abusing the other, causing a scuffle to break out. Police said firing began due to which two people were injured.

Naveed Ahmed, a support of Khalil Salar, was injured, as was a PTI supporter who received a bullet injury to his hand.

Police later registered a case against the PTI candidate and his supporters in response to a complaint lodged by Naveed Ahmed.

The police had previously informed candidates that the election code of conduct would be implemented vigorously. They were also told that cases would be registered against candidates and their supporters if they were involved in clashes with rivals.

Candidates with existing rivalries who were contesting the same seat had also been asked to submit surety of their good behaviour. They would also be asked to submit assurances that they would not engage in any scuffles with rivals and would control their supporters and employees.

Police also approached the capital administration’s licence branch for details of weapons licences issued to candidates and their supporters and activists.

This would help the police confiscate weapons, if necessary.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2015