ISLAMABAD Aug. 28 (TNS): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday disposed of the application filed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate for NA-120 by-election Faisal Mir against Federal Minister for Commerce Pervez Malik over alleged violation of ECP’s code of conduct.
On Monday ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza Khan heard the application filed by Mir against Pervez Malik on Wednesday, accusing him and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of using state machinery and violating the Election Commission of Pakistan’s code of conduct while campaigning for their candidate Kulsoom Nawaz.
Mir in his complaint contended that federal and provincial ministers were not allowed to participate in any election campaign or visit the constituency under the ECP’s code of conduct and Section 103-A of the Representation of People’s Act 1976.
However, he said, Mr Malik had been regularly visiting the constituency and using state machinery to run Ms Nawaz’s campaign. He asked the ECP to take action against the minister for violating the ECP’s code of conduct and to restrain him from visiting the constituency again.
When the ECP took up the application for hearing, neither Mir not anyone on his behalf appeared before the Commission.
Counsel of Malik appeared before the ECP bench and submitted an affidavit singed by his client stating he quit as head of PML-N election campaign for NA-120.
CEC remarked that no development funds can be released or projects can be executed after announcement of election schedule. He added that ECP had no issue with funds released or projects being executed before the announcement of election schedule.
The ECP while accepting Malik’s affidavit disposed of Mir’s application.
It is to be mentioned here that Malik was made in-charge of Ms Nawaz’s campaign for the by-election in NA-120 scheduled for Sept 17 for being president of PML-N Lahore chapter.
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