ISLAMABAD, Sept 18: The Chief Election Commissioner on Wednesday warned that any civil servant using official position to influence the election results would be doing so “at his own risk and consequences.”

The CEC directed the Inspector Generals of Police throughout Pakistan to issue instructions to their subordinates “to behave with the members of the public with due decorum and courtesy, promote amity and aid individuals who are in danger of physical harm.”

The CEC took notice of the news items appearing in a section of the press, which spoke of contesting candidates being harassed by some police officials, an EC announcement said.

It recalled that in its previous directive, it had stated in clear terms that the executive authorities in the federation and in the provinces shall not exercise undue influence, affecting the interest of any person intending to contest election.

“They shall act with neutrality and impartiality throughout the election process and shall not use official influence or governmental patronage in favour of a person intending to contest election.”

The Representation of the People Act, 1976, also specifically provides that if a person, in the service of Pakistan, misuses his official position in a manner calculated to influence the results of the election, he would be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which might extend up to two year, the EC release said.

It is the statutory duty of every police official to protect life, property and liberty of citizens.

In another announcement, the EC said the government servants, members of the armed forces, holders of public offices, their wives and children, registered as voters, can exercise their right of vote through postal ballot if they wanted to cast their votes in their home constituency.

Similarly, persons detained in prisons or held in legal custody, are also entitled to vote by postal ballot.

It said that all the persons who are eligible to cast vote through postal ballot are once again reminded that the last date for submission of applications to the returning officers for obtaining postal ballot is Sept 20, 2002.

Similarly, the polling personnel and officials of law enforcing agencies, who are appointed at the polling stations, can send their applications for postal ballot to the returning officers by Sept 30, 2002.

Application forms for the postal ballot are available with all returning officers. However, if the forms fall short, their photocopies can be used instead.

The EC said that election in the constituency No PP-182 Kasur-VII, has been postponed.

It said that Ch Muhammad Abdul Jabbar, Advocate, a candidate from this constituency, has been murdered on Sept 14, 2002.

The RO concerned has terminated the proceedings relating to election in that constituency, by issuing a public notice, in terms of Section 18 of the Representation of the People Act, 1976.

Fresh proceedings will commence after election schedule for the said constituency is announced by the EC, in due course of time.