‘ECP code of conduct being violated in NA-120’

LAHORE :Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi while addressing a press conference Thursday said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s code of conduct is being violated in NA-120.

Qureshi said PTI's candidate for NA-120 Dr Yasmin Rashid has raised six points with the ECP and has also submitted them in writing. He claimed that ECP has taken steps only on paper and has yet to take any meaningful measures to address the concerns raised by the PTI.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf vice-chairman said 29,000 identity cards from NA-120 have no record in Nadra and added that if the votes are not verified then they should be cancelled. We have given the same request to ECP in writing, said Qureshi. Referring to violation of the code of conduct, Qureshi claimed that development work is still being carried out by the PML-N in the constituency.

He also claimed that construction contractors working in other areas of Lahore have been shifted to NA-120 and instructed to complete development work in the constituency by September 17. By-election on the seat left vacant after Nawaz Sharif's disqualification by the Supreme Court on July 28 will be held on September 17. A total of 44 candidates will contest the NA-120 by polls.

The Election Commission of Pakistan will establish 220 polling stations and 573 polling booths where the constituency's 321,786 registered voters can cast their votes.

sit-in: PTI candidate in NA-120 Yasmin Rashid has said if their concerns about pre-poll rigging are not allayed PTI can stage a sit-in among other options. Talking to reporters during her visit to constituency, she asked Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of the violation of code of electoral conduct being committed by the ruling party.

We have registered our concerns with the ECP on the issues like pre-poll rigging and polling scheme, she added. The Pakistan Muslim League-N should have started development work in the constituency before the announcement of by-polls schedule, she added. The ECP is not independent and works under the government, she alleged. —