ISLAMABAD, Feb 10: Noting with concern a massive display of arms and use of huge financial resources by almost all candidates, a ‘fact-finding mission’ of an NGO has called for foolproof security measures to ensure free, fair and transparent election in a safe environment in Gujrat.

In its report, the team of the Centre for Media and Democracy terms the law and order situation in the district ‘highly unpredictable’.

Gujrat is the hometown of former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, former chief minister of Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, former federal minister Ahmed Mukhtar, former MNA Qamaruz Zaman Kaira of the Pakistan People’s Party and several other influential leaders.

Four constituencies of the National Assembly and eight of the Punjab assembly fall in the district which is mainly dominated by Jatts, Gujjars, Arains, Ansaris, Rajputs, Mughals and Kashmiris.

“Huge billboards, hoardings, banners and posters in violation of the Election Commission’s code of conduct can be seen everywhere in the district. Almost all the candidates are trading allegations and pointing towards each other for violation of the code but no one is serious to abide by it himself. They also complain about incomplete voters’ lists, low number of polling stations, inadequate polling staff, involvement of district government and lack of police protection,” says the report.

The PML-Q terms the voters’ lists ‘incomplete’ and says these should have been compiled with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority. The PPP candidates say the lists have duplicate and fake votes.

The report says that candidates of all major parties usually move with wagons carrying armed personnel and most of their guards carry lethal weapons.

District Returning Officer Chaudhry Ghulam Rasool, however, told the team that everything was smooth and there was no pressure on his office. He said almost all the complaints forwarded by the Election Commission had been redressed.

He said the PPP had sent five complaints and appropriate action had been taken on all of them.

But the PPP candidates expressed concern that the election in the district would not be free and fair.Former minister Ahmad Mukhtar and former MNA Qamaruz Zaman Kaira of the PPP accused the PML-Q candidates of using state resources and enjoying support of the district government.

District Nazim Chaudhry Shafaat Hussain, younger brother of PML-Q chief Shujaat Hussain, refuted the allegations. “I am not using official machinery to support my family but in my personal capacity I am supporting them and this is my right,” he said. He alleged that after the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, Mr Mukhtar had instructed his men to set on fire the property of PML-Q supporters but police had not registered cases against him.

Former Punjab minister Mian Imran Masood, PML-Q candidate for PP-111, said: “Though security issues remain a threat for us, yet we are going door-to-door for campaigning.

Those who are expressing fears regarding transparency of polls know that the public is not with them.”Malik Jamil Awan, PML-N candidate from NA-107, said the code of conduct was not effective in the district.