CEC TAKES SERIOUS NOTICE OF ALLEGED ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES BY CERTAIN CANDIDATES IN THE CONSTITUENCIES WHERE BYE-ELECTIONS ARE BEING HELD.
Islamabad, the 16th January, 2010.— Mr. Ishtiak Ahmad Khan, Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan has stated that Justice ® Hamid Ali Mirza, Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan has taken serious view of the complaints as well as news published in print media, according to which certain candidates of bye-elections in the following constituencies are allegedly announcing/initiating development projects in their respective constituencies and are also violating the Code of Conduct issued by the ECP for the political parties and candidates.
National Assembly Punjab Assembly NWFP Assembly
NA-123 (Lahore-vi) PP- 82 (Jhang-x) PF-83 (Swat-iv)
NA-21 (Mansehra-ii) PP-284(Bhawalnagar-viii) PF-75 (Lakki Marwat-ii)
NA-55 (Rawalpindi-vi)
2. Secretary ECP said that Hon’ble CEC has observed that the candidates for bye-elections are expected to strictly follow the Code of Conduct and avoid violation thereof. He warned that stern action shall be initiated against violators of the Code of Conduct or against any other act of such candidates, which adversely affects the fairness and transparency of the bye-elections in any manner whatsoever in accordance with law.
3. Secretary ECP further said that Hon`ble CEC has emphasized upon the political parties/candidates to follow the Code of Conduct in letter and spirit and directed the Chief Secretaries of the Provinces where bye-elections are being held to ensure implementation thereof, as election tempo is gaining momentum, so as to check occurrence of any untoward incident/violence as well as any act that affects the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.