THIS is apropos of the letter ‘Fair elections and apprehensions’ (Feb 22). The writer being a monitor in the recently-held by-elections in Sindh has rightly pointed out that his complaints were ignored by deputy commissioners. Besides, the provincial Election Commission did not take any action in the matter as well.

The present Election Commission has been established under a new amendment to the constitution and people felt relieved that it would make prompt inquiries regarding complaints in an independent and impartial manner.

In Sindh, there are serious complaints against the provincial government. I have filed several complaints with the Election Commission since January 2013.

Recently, it had banned recruitment in government service. Instead, in my district (Naushahro Feroze) hundreds of appointment letters for government jobs are being issued currently without any advertisements being placed in newspapers or interviews being held.

Junior and out-of-turn promoted officials are being posted in the district and subdivisions, particularly in police and revenue departments, by the government with a view that those posted would help in rigging the elections in favour of the ruling party.

The Sindh provincial Election Commission is in no mood to inquire into the matter urgently and judiciously. Complaints are being forwarded to provincial officers who are already not in the mood to take any action for obvious reasons.

It is becoming apparent with each passing day that the Election Commission would not be able to organise a level playing field and provide all the stakeholders a secure system by preventing pre-poll and poll rigging under the prevailing circumstances in the general elections in Sindh.

S. ZAFAR ALI SHAH (MNA) Naushahro Feroze

Of false promise and polls

PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has announced that if his party comes to power, the minimum wage will be Rs15,000 a month. While releasing the party manifesto, he revealed this revolutionary promise.

A big question is about fulfilling it. This seems to be a very good idea to attract voters of low-income category. But I wonder how they will bring about this change.

At present the minimum wage is Rs8,000. There are many complaints that in the private sector this law has not been implemented.

Many of the PML-N leaders have factories, so they should be asked whether they have as owners implemented the minimum wage law.

DR ALFRED CHARLES Karachi

Election date

THE Election Commission of Pakistan has proposed May 8 or 9 as the election day. I would like to suggest that elections should be held on May 11 as it will be Saturday and the next day will be Sunday.

It will allow us to follow the election results the whole night as elections are an important part of a nations’ history.

DR PERWAIZ M. YOUSUF Karachi