ECP takes note of cheque distribution for Bajaur tribal elders

Tribal district’s DC given two days to explain why the ceremony was held in his office

SHABQADAR: The election commission and the Bajaur tribal district returning officer have issued a notice to the deputy commissioner of the district for violating the election code by holding a tribal jirga in his office with a lawmaker from the ruling party where tribal Maliks were handed cheques as per established tribal tradition.

The matter had emerged on social media after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for PK-101 Nizamuddin Khan had posted an image on July 3 of a meeting of tribal elders of Nawagai at the deputy commissioner (DC) office in the tribal district with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA for NA-40 Gul Dad Khan.

Nizamuddin raised questions over the election code violations. With the matter going viral after it was picked
up by some prominent television anchors, Bajaur Tribal District Returning Officer Fazal Hakeem on Friday issued a notice to Bajaur DC Usman Mehsood for violating the election code.

The letter, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, stated that DC Bajaur had arranged the meeting and announced cash award for Maliks and notables.

“You have given assurances that the government will extend every kind of support to the elders / Maliks which is a clear violation of the code of conduct Para-31,” the letter read.

“The competent authority has also taken serious notice of this act and requires to submit report/ factual position,” it read.

“You are, therefore, advised to clarify your position and detail comments, whatsoever, may be submitted to the returning offer, within two days,” the notice further added.

The notice also noted that while pictures made it to the media, they were later posted on the official social media page of the DC office itself.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2019.