ISLAMABAD, July 12: The Election Commission has taken notice of alleged patronage in the electioneering of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz for two National Assembly seats and has conveyed to quarters concerned that such fanfare was not fair.

"We are watching and will promptly take notice of everything that goes out of proportion," Election Commission Secretary Hasan Mohammad told reporters here at the Election Commission of Pakistan without elaborating the nature of the notice, the commission has taken.

The commission has not received any written complaint on behalf of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), neither has any evidence been provided by political parties to establish the allegations of misuse of state machinery in the electioneering of Mr Aziz, he said.

Reports say that Mr Aziz himself was bearing all the election expenses but obviously he could not prevent his fellow ministers from attending the event of the filing of his candidacy for by- elections in Attock and Tharparkar, he said adding that sometimes because of "over ambitiousness", the ministers make it a point to be present at such events.

Referring to the rejoinder of PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, the secretary explained that the acting chief election commissioner had not supported in any statement the participation of the prime minister and chief ministers in the election campaign of the PML candidate, Mr Aziz.

At the same time, the secretary said, there was no restriction to prevent the prime minister, the chief minister or ministers to support the election campaign of party candidates.

He posed a counter question that whether it was illegal in the neighbouring country or in South Asian countries to attend the election campaigns of party candidates by the prime minister, chief minister or ministers.

The secretary referred to a notification issued by the commission on Thursday last and said that after the revival of 1973 Constitution on Dec 31, 2002, laws governing the conduct of elections like Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002, and the Representation of the People Act, 1976, have replaced Aug 13, 2002, notification of election commission under which the ministers were required to resign before participating in the elections.

The secretary clarified that the election campaign in the constituencies of Punjab and Sindh would begin after the withdrawal of nomination papers by the candidates. Therefore at such primary stage, there was no violation of any rule and regulation.

The secretary, however, avoided to respond to allegations of dual nationality of Mr Aziz saying the returning officer had already dealt with the question besides appellate tribunal was available to settle the controversy.

The secretary hoped that political leaders like Raza Rabbani would realize that institutions like election commission, working for the strengthening of democracy in the country, were not criticized on the basis of unverified statements. "It can be said here that such uncalled for criticism cannot be termed as a good omen for democracy or democratic institutions," the secretary said.