ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed concern over the inappropriate use of state machinery and manpower by local government officials to support candidates in their election campaigns, violating the code of conduct and compromising the fairness of the upcoming general elections.
The ECP spokesperson stated that elected local government officials have been observed providing government machinery and manpower to aid specific candidates, a practice deemed contrary to the principles of fair elections.
To address this issue, the ECP has instructed provincial chief secretaries and election commissioners to warn suspected government officials about such activities.
Furthermore, the ECP has urged district monitoring teams to vigilantly oversee election campaigns and take prompt action against any violations of the established code of conduct.
In a recent move, the ECP removed the returning officer of NA-44 in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to alleged misuse of power. The spokesperson highlighted that the returning officer had reportedly abused his authority by altering the election symbol of a candidate within his constituency without valid reasons.
As Pakistan gears up for the general elections, the ECP is intensifying efforts to ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to electoral standards, emphasizing the need for strict monitoring and accountability in the electoral process.
