ECP issues notice to PML-N for using state machinery in NA-120 campaign

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday demanded a written response from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after serving a notice to the ruling party over allegations of using state machinery in NA-120 by-election for Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of ousted PM Nawaz Sharif.

The notice has been served to the PML-N’s campaign in-charge – Pervaiz Malik – directing him to submit his reply within three days while warning him to refrain from using state machinery for Kulsoom Nawaz’s campaign.

It also advises other assembly members of the party to stop their activities in NA-120 for upcoming by-election, so that the by-poll could be held in accordance with law.

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Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) leader Faisal Mir – who is also party nominee for NA-120 – had alleged on Sunday that PML-N’s Pervaiz Malik and Hamza Shahbaz Sharif were using the Punjab Chief Minister’s office to run the by-election campaign for Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.

The PPP candidate termed the use of state machinery and party’s influence in the constituency as breach of law and violation of ECP’s code of conduct by urging the commission to take notice on the matter.

Earlier on Monday, the ECP – after taking notice of Mir’s allegations – had directed provincial chief secretary and Punjab’s Inspector General of Police to take prompt action against any violation of its code of conduct for elections under Article 204 of the constitution read with 103(a) of the Representation of People Act, 1976.