NA-122 by-election: ECP to address complaints against lavish spending

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will review the complaints of alleged violation of ECP Code of Conduct in NA-122 as contestants are reportedly spending extravagantly for the by-elections. An official of ECP told Business Recorder that a number of complaints have been received alleging that Ayaz Sadiq of the Pakistan Muslim League-N and his principal rival Aleem Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in NA-122 are violating the limit of Rs 1.5 million per NA seat set by the ECP.
He stated that some complaints accuse the PTI of spending Rs 50 million on the rally held on Sunday. Other complaints accuse Hamza Shahbaz Sharif-led rally of also violating the code of conduct. Various complaints have been received against the two candidates who deny overstepping the range of spending. The surveillance teams of ECP have also been deputed in the constituency for monitoring spending. Media reports claim that banners, party flags, posters, hoarders and flexes on roads, streets, bazaars, and open places can be seen all over the constituency which are indicative of actual expenditure. The two main rivals have opened offices in dozens of locations which is not possible without incurring huge expenses.
The ECP on Friday again issued code of conduct for observers and media persons. The notice emphasised that code of conduct must be adhered to in letter and spirit by all concerned. The Election Commission has directed Returning and Deputy Returning Officers to direct the contesting candidates to remove all banners and billboards which do not match the required size under the code.
In the letter, written by PTI senior leader Dr Shireen Mazari and addressed to Secretary ECP Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, the PTI accused the PML-N of trying to influence the by-election by the release of advertisements by the Punjab government. The case would be taken up by ECP after the election, the official maintained. Some complaints to ECP accuse PTI candidate of purchasing transport for his party workers besides buying votes. Corner meetings and arrangement of food and refreshments is also extra campaign expenditure.
The EC claims to be actively monitoring the campaign but there is a clear violation of the limits it set on expenditure to discourage the money race in the election and create level playing field, a former secretary ECP told Business Recorder. The ECP has printed 350,600 ballot papers and one percent additional papers for by-election in NA-122.