Battle for NA-120: RO seeks answers from proactive PML-N leaders

Notices issued to Pervez Malik and Bilal Yasin for using state machinery

LAHORE: The Returning Officer (RO) for NA-120 has issued notices to PML-N ministers and one MPA for violating the code of conduct through development projects ahead of by-polls.

The RO has sought a reply from these respondents by August 25. Among those served notices was PML-N’s Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile Pervez Malik. A complaint against him was lodged by PPP candidate Faisal Mir who alleged the minister, along with other assembly members, was using state machinery to gain an advantage for a particular candidate or political party in NA-120.

Meanwhile, the RO also issued notices to minister Bilal Yaseen and MPA Majid Zahoor for initiating development projects in the NA-120 constituency and sought a reply by August 26. PTI’s candidate Yasmeen Rashid filed a complaint against Bilal and Majid Zahoor.

The RO highlighted four points of the code of conduct, elaborating that executive authorities in the federation and provinces shall not use state resources in a constituency where by-elections were being held. The rules stated that this would cause an unfair advantage for a particular candidate or political party who were not allowed to exercise undue influence. Secondly, The RO said after the issuance of the schedule of by-elections, the president, prime minster, chairman/deputy chairman senate, speakers of assemblies or other dignitaries including members of the national assembly/provincial assembly would neither visit the area of the constituency nor openly, or in secret, give any subscription of donation or make a promise for the same.

It added that these elected officials would also not announce, inaugurate or commit to undertake any development project for the advancement of the campaign of a candidate.

Thirdly, the RO pointed out that the above mentioned shall not visit the constituency or a polling station after the schedule of by-elections is announced until polls are completed.

The RO said if any of the public office-holders are found to have misused their official position to influence the result of an election in any manner, whatsoever, legal action shall be taken against such a person in accordance with the law under Section 103A of the Representation of the People Act 1976 which relates to contempt proceedings.

NA-120 is set to become a battleground once again after the disqualification of former prime minster Nawaz Sharif.

Both PTI and PML-N are set to slug it out with strong candidates.

PML-N has fielded Kulsoom Nawaz while PTI’s runner up candidate in the last election, Dr Yasmin Rashid, will be her opponent. In the 2013 General Elections, Rashid did not ruffle many feathers in the PML-N camp and secured only 52,354 compared to Nawaz Sharif’s 91,683.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) earlier announced that it would use electronic voting and biometric verification machines at some polling stations in NA-120.

The commission currently has 150 biometric and 100 electronic voting machines for the trial run that will be used in the constituency.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2017.