PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notice to deputy commissioner of Bajaur district for violation of election code of conduct by chairing a meeting with tribal elders where he also distributed funds among the maliks.
A notification issued of the ECP in this regard said that it has come to the notice of the ECP through Social Media reports that you have chaired a meeting in your office on 3d July, 2019, with the elders/notable of district Bajaur in presence of Mr Gul Dad Khan, MNA from NA-40 Bajaur and announced cash award for Maliks! notables and you have given assurance that Government will extend every kind of support to the elders/maliks which is a clear violation of the code of conduct Para-31.
Therefore, the Competent Authority has taken serious notice of this act and require to submit a report/ factual position within two days. The DC was asked to clarify his position and submit detailed comments to district returning officer, Bajaur, within two days, so that it may be sent to Election Commission of Pakistan for further consideration.
Nizam Uddin Khan, the Pakistan Muslim League worker in Bajaur, who has raised the issue on social media said that this so far is the most blatant rigging and open bribery! “Today Deputy Commissioner Bajaur and the MNA of the area called upon the Malik’s and announced cash grants (maraat) for them like they did under FCR saying it was a new policy of the provincial government.” He asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to take action.
“Blatant use of state machinery to favour PTI candidates in upcoming elections in the merged districts of Pakhtunkhwa,” Aimal Wali Khan, the provincial president of Awami National party has alleged in a tweet. “The ‘Election Commission’ has become a full time ‘Selection Commission’.”
