By-elections: Plea against use of govt machinery dismissed

LAHORE:

Justice Ijazul Ahsan of Lahore High Court dismissed on Monday a petition by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) alleging the use of government machinery to woo voters ahead of by-elections. The judge asked the petitioner to approach the relevant forum for relief.

The PAT had submitted that the government machinery was being used in violation of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s code of conduct. Development schemes have been started in various constituencies, it said. The party had also accused police of harassing voters. It had requested the court to take action against those using the government machinery ahead of the elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2015.