EC not to ignore ‘breach of election rules by PM’

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan indicated on Monday it would not ignore breach of election rules by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who has been accused by some politicians and members of civil society of distributing state funds during election campaigns for candidates of his Pakistan People’s Party.

“Though our policy is not individual or person specific, yet we will not ignore all that is happening. We have taken notice of it and will do something about it,” an ECP official told Dawn.

He said the chief election commissioner had the powers to decide on matters where rules were silent about violation of certain provisions.

The opposition and civil society have accused Mr Gilani of consistently addressing election rallies of PPP candidates, announcing development schemes and visiting constituencies on state expense with full protocol of prime minister.

The Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat), a leading NGO, had on Aug 3 sought a clarification from the CEC whether or not the prime minister’s address at election rallies and announcement of development projects constituted violation of electoral laws or code of conduct.

In a letter addressed to the CEC, Pildat said there were numerous precedents where the Election Commission of India had barred prime ministers, ministers and chief ministers from using state resources for electioneering. The announcement of any development project during election was a serious offence in India, leading at times to disqualification of candidates, it added.

“Pildat feels that continuing use of state resources and announcement of development projects at election rallies by the prime minister is damaging credibility of the democratic and electoral process in the country.

“The Election Commission’s continuous silence at the apparent violations of electoral ethics and the code of conduct is extremely disturbing and damaging the concept of rule of law.

“The practice is not only being followed by the prime minister but also by ministers and advisers of provincial governments, especially in Punjab,” the letter said.

Former information minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed has criticised the prime minister for violating ECP rules in disregard of the supremacy of law by the bigwigs of the ruling party.