‘PML-N using LGs for pre-poll rigging’

Opposition suggests ceasing or suspending powers of local government representatives till polls

LAHORE: Opposition parties have asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to suspend or cease the powers of local governments in Punjab. They claim of the former ruling PML-N is using state machinery to hinder free and fair elections; particularly in the provincial capital.

The contesting candidates of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q) and other opposition parties have complained that local government representatives were using state resources to influence the election process in Punjab.

The parties pointed out that this was in gross violation of the ECP General Elections 2018 Code of Conduct for political parties, contesting candidates and polling agents.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, PTI NA-130 candidate Shafqat Mahmood highlighted that his party asked the ECP to restrain the local government till polling day (July 25).

He alleged PML-N, with the highest number of local government representatives in Punjab, was engaged in pre-poll rigging.

“In several areas,” he complained, “development works are still underway despite clear instructions of the ECP to halt all development schemes till general elections. Owing to its majority, the PML-N is at an advantageous position in comparison to opposition parties and the commission should resolve the opposition’s grievances.”

PTI NA-133 candidate Ejaz Chaudhry said there is no harm if local government representatives go door-to-door for the campaigns of their colleagues, but the situation turns ugly when they use public resources for the benefit one party. “In several areas, new roads and streets are being constructed.”

He claimed PML-N is installing new streetlights through local government representatives in “areas where it never lit a candle during their term in the government.”



Chaudhry said all town administrations were busy displaying the PML-N candidates' banners and removed the posters of opposition parties from their areas. “Even lower cadre local government employees are campaigning for the former ruling party. PTI already knew that before going into polls, PML-N would use the state machinery for its electioneering. That is the reason it asked the commission to only entrust Grade-17 and above government officials for duty.”

He added most appointments in lower government grades were done on political basis in Punjab over the past three decades.

“However, the commission has entrusted Grade-16 and above government officials for election duties over which the PTI has reservations,” he indicated.

PML senior central leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has also said that free, fair and transparent elections could not be held without suspending local bodies. He continued that PML-N had already started pre-poll rigging in Punjab through local governments.

The PTI leader stated that PML-N local government representatives and chairmen were undertaking works of former ruling party candidates locally and organising their public meetings. They are also threatening polling staff and influencing them.

Talking about fair and transparent general elections in Punjab, he underscored it was imperative to completely suspend the local government and cease their funds till polling day (July 25).

“The caretaker government is claiming fair and transparent elections, but if local bodies are not suspended until polling day, then there is no reality to the claim. The ECP and caretaker government should take immediate notice of this situation,” he maintained.

Lahore Division Commissioner Dr Muhammad Mujtaba Paracha, on Monday, directed all district monitoring officers of the general elections to implement the code of conduct devised by the ECP. He directed them to remove all banners, panaflex, billboards and other publicity material of contesting candidates that do not adhere to the prescribed parameters and displayed in violation of the ECP code.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2018.