Punjab election chief seeks CS, IG’s help

As the deadline for the submission of nomination papers concludes, the Punjab Election Commissioner, Saeed Gul, has officially reached out to the provincial chief secretary and inspector general of police, underscoring the executive's obligation to support the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in ensuring the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections in the country.

In a written communication dispatched through a special messenger on Sunday, Gul expressed deep concern, stating that his office was inundated with numerous applications from almost every district of the province, coupled with media reports circulating that candidates, particularly those affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were being mistreated by the police personnel.

This mistreatment is not confined to the periphery of the Returning Officers' Offices but extended within the premises, involving the scrutiny and confiscation of their nomination papers.

“Such actions constitute a clear violation of electoral laws, especially the essence of Article 218(3) of the Constitution, as well as the directives of the Election Commission.”

He highlighted that his office had forwarded numerous complaints and applications to the respective offices and authorities concerned, urging immediate necessary action to control the situation.

Regrettably, “no such action has been taken thus far, and instances of misconduct persist”.

Read ECP denies ‘Bat’ offer amid Khattak’s claims

Gul emphasised, “As you know, the filing of nomination processes, as per the election schedule issued by the ECP, concludes today. However, the receiving and filing of nomination papers are still marred by incidents of fear, intimidation, the snatching of nomination papers, and other such acts at the hands of the police. Candidates are being discriminated against, as a conducive environment is not being provided to all without any discrimination. The discouraging aspect of this situation is that Returning

Officers, predominantly from provincial/federal executive backgrounds, are not acting proactively as demanded by electoral laws.

“They appear incapable of controlling the situation, even within their office premises, to facilitate all prospective candidates in submitting their nomination papers uninterrupted.”

The election commissioner reminded the provincial administration of their binding duty to assist the ECP in conducting elections in a free, fair, and transparent manner, as stipulated in Article-220, read with Section-5 of the Elections Act 2017. However, the concerned administrative authorities, including DROs/ROs and other functionaries under the administrative control of the provincial government, are allegedly not providing the requisite assistance, violating both constitutional provisions and electoral laws.

Gul appealed to the provincial administration to intervene by issuing strict directives to all concerned under its administrative control. “This intervention aims to prompt proactive, effective, and prompt actions to create a conducive environment at the ROs' Offices, allowing all prospective candidates to file their nomination papers without hindrance, fear, or intimidation.”

Additionally, he requested the issuance of necessary directions to all deputy commissioners and other administrative officers under their jurisdiction to control the situation within the premises of their respective offices. “Strict and stringent actions should be taken against any officers or officials from any department impeding the nomination process and creating hurdles for candidates in receiving and filing their nomination papers.”

The highly proactive caretaker Punjab Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, also a seasoned journalist and owner of a news channel group, appears to be adopting a passive stance over media reports of discrimination with PTI candidates.

Interestingly, even during holidays, he proactively ordered the removal of CIA DIG Malik Liaquat from his post and made him OSD for raiding a hospital owned by the owner of a media house. However, Naqvi seems to overlook the complaints of high-handedness and misconduct of police officials against the PTI candidates though his primary responsibility lies in ensuring the smooth functioning of daily government affairs and transparent elections. It appears that his focus is predominantly on building new roads, underpasses, and flyovers in the province.