Concerned call: PTI asks opposition to jointly monitor LB polls
Qureshi alleges that Punjab govt is violating the code of conduct.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi raised concerns over the legitimacy of local government elections, and urged opposition parties to form a committee to watch over the electoral process.
Qureshi claimed that the Punjab government is violating the election code of conduct. Even after the announcement of the polls’ schedule, the government is busy transferring officials, he pointed out.
While addressing a news conference on Wednesday, the PTI leader said if irregularities similar to the general elections are repeated, the public will take to the streets.
He warned the Punjab government of confrontation if the local body polls are rigged. “The elections should be conducted in a free and fair environment no matter which party is successful,” he said. Qureshi said the conduct of free and fair elections is the biggest challenge for the election commission.
Qureshi said millions of rupees are being spent on the approval of back-dated tenders. He went on to say that the stage is set to rig the upcoming local bodies’ polls.
“Delimitations favour the PML-N, and bureaucracy is being brought in under pressure,” said the PTI leader.
He alleged that those officials who are not abiding by the illegal orders are being transferred. PTI had earlier demanded that election should be held under the judiciary’s supervision.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2013.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi raised concerns over the legitimacy of local government elections, and urged opposition parties to form a committee to watch over the electoral process.
Qureshi claimed that the Punjab government is violating the election code of conduct. Even after the announcement of the polls’ schedule, the government is busy transferring officials, he pointed out.
While addressing a news conference on Wednesday, the PTI leader said if irregularities similar to the general elections are repeated, the public will take to the streets.
He warned the Punjab government of confrontation if the local body polls are rigged. “The elections should be conducted in a free and fair environment no matter which party is successful,” he said. Qureshi said the conduct of free and fair elections is the biggest challenge for the election commission.
Qureshi said millions of rupees are being spent on the approval of back-dated tenders. He went on to say that the stage is set to rig the upcoming local bodies’ polls.
“Delimitations favour the PML-N, and bureaucracy is being brought in under pressure,” said the PTI leader.
He alleged that those officials who are not abiding by the illegal orders are being transferred. PTI had earlier demanded that election should be held under the judiciary’s supervision.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2013.