Election Commission on Monday categorically dispelled allegations of being biased and said it has taken action on more than 70 complains lodged by the opposition.
"The allegations that opposition's complaints regarding pre poll rigging were not properly addressed were baseless, said Election Commission Secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad at a news conference called in response to statements by the opposition leaders challenging impartiality of election commission.
The complaints received with the authority are kidnapping of candidates, posting/transfers of officials and use of authority by the ministers, division of some of the union councils and other means of pre poll rigging.
He said the LB elections were being held on non-party basis under clause 153 of local government ordinance 2001 which barred candidates from using platform of any political, religious, regional party or flag in the election campaign. Violation of that clause would result in disqualification of the candidate, he added.
He said it has been ensured the elections' symbols allotted to the major political parties were not issued to any candidate that might create impression about their affiliation with that party.
Kanwar Dilshad said a complaint cell was established in the election commission on the directives of chief election commissioner (CEC) to take swift action on all complaints received by the authority.
"Election commission has received complaints of violation of the code of conduct, political victimisation, transfers and postings, on which it has taken swift action and concerned authorities have been directed for speedy inquiry and submission of report to the EC," he added.
He said the Chief Election Commissioner has directed the chief secretaries and provincial police officials for immediate and swift action on complaints regarding local government elections. He said the election commission has taken notice of the behaviour of police in Sindh and use of public resources and positions by some ministers.
The Secretary election commission said the CEC has cancelled all postings and transfers ordered after the announcement of schedule of local government elections.
"The Election Commission has also taken strong exception of some reports appearing in press that some notables and prominent leaders have unanimously pledged not to allow their women folk to participate in the local government election, both as candidate and as a voter in some districts of NWFP," he said.
He said it was an inalienable right of every eligible citizen of Pakistan, both men and women, to contest any election or to cast vote to elect representatives of their choice. Under the constitution, there could be no discrimination on the basis of gender alone.
"In case it comes to the notice of the EC that women are not allowed by any person to contest election or to cast vote at the polling station, he will be dealt in accordance with law," he said the EC warned.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raza Rabbani and a political party have lodged some complaints of rigging with the election commission on which they were asked to submit documentary evidence with the returning officer of the respective area.
He said the election commission was watching closely the whole process of election and would take every necessary step to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
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