A file photo of the Election Commission of Pakistan. PHOTO: ECP.GOV.PK
In a statement issued on Friday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said no public funds could be released for political gains by the provincial governments once the schedule for the LG polls in the provinces is announced.
The ECP said that the commission had taken notice of media reports claiming that the administrations of Sindh and Punjab were doling out funds for development schemes. “This could result in influencing the voters in the upcoming LG elections.”
Under the code of conduct for the polls, the provincial governments are barred from announcing any new development schemes.
Similarly, they are not allowed to disburse public funds for development projects until the electoral process concludes.
The ECP had notified the schedule for the first phase of LG polls in Sindh and Punjab on August 26 and for the second phase on September 3.
The first phase is scheduled for October 31 and the second for November 19. The third phase is expected in the first week of December.
In the first phase people in Punjab would go to the polls in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Lodhran, Vehari, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Kasur, Nankana Sahib and Chakwal.
In Sindh votes will be cast in Khairpur, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Shikarpur, Qamber Shahdadkot, Jacobabad and Kashmore.
In the second phase people in Punjab would go to the polls in Khanewal, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Attock and Jhelum.
In Sindh votes will be cast in Matiari, Tando Allah Yar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2015.
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