ECP summons presiding officer over missing ballot papers

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned the presiding officer of polling station number 87 at 11am on June 22 over his alleged involvement in stealing ballot papers during the NA-240 Korangi by-election.

According to a notification issued by the ECP on Saturday, the presiding officer will appear in person and explain the deteriorating law and order situation.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) retained its NA-240 seat during the violence-marred by-election on June 16 in which one person was killed and 10 others were injured.

On that day, Pak Sarzameen Party chief Mustafa Kamal and Tehreek-e-Labbaik chief Saad Rizvi accused each other of resorting to violence.

Besides, notices have also been issued to PSP chief Kamal.

The ECP has also notified the Sindh College Education Department secretary of ensuring the appearance of the presiding officer over irregularities.

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Further, the ECP rejected the transfer request of district police officers (DPOs) in five districts of Punjab for the by-polls being held on 20 seats left vacant after the commission de-notified the dissident PTI MPAs who had voted for PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz against their party line in the Punjab chief minister’s election on May 23.

By-elections on the 20 vacant seats will be held on July 17, the ECP said.

The ECP did not allow the deployment of new DPOs in Khushab, Hafizabad, Khanewal, DG Khan and Rajanpur.

“News about the transfer of police officers on social media contradicts the facts,” the ECP said.

The Punjab inspector general of police had written a letter to the ECP, seeking permission for transfer of DPOs in five districts.

“The IG had sought permission for the transfer of DPOs in five districts,” the ECP added.