BADIN, July 18: The information secretary of the People’s Party Parliamentarians, Sindh, MNA Dr Fehmida Mirza, has said that the government’s claim of free and fair partyless local body elections is a mockery of the Election Commission’s code of conduct as ministers are assigned tasks to visit every district and use official protocol, machinery and accommodation to muster support for government-backed candidates.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday evening, she said the division of Sindh’s districts and talukas and transfers and postings of police and revenue officials were not only sheer violation of the Election Commission’s code of conduct but also a worst form of the pre-poll rigging.

“We have morally won the elections and have successfully exposed government’s hypocrisy,” she said.

She said while awarding ticket to candidates of the Awam Dost Panel, priority would be given to ex-nazims for contesting polls as announced by the provincial party chief, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, at the Sindh council meeting.

Denying any grouping in the PPP Badin, she said there might be some internal conflict among workers which was their democratic right.

She said the PPP would sweep the elections as talks with the leadership of the PML-F were going on.

She said selection of right candidates by the selection boards of the party was must.

Dr Fehmida Mirza expressed condolence on the death of senior journalist Raees Ahmed Shaikh on behalf of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto and read her condolence message.

Dr Fehmida announced Rs50,000 on behalf of Benazir Bhutto for the deceased journalist’s family.

JI: The Jamaat-i-Islami at its meeting held here on Sunday decided to field candidates in the district under the banner of Al-Khidmat group.

The meeting was presided over by Syed Dawood Shah, district Ameer of the Jamaat-i-Islami.

It was decided to form election alliance with the MMA and its allied parties.