HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party urged the chief election commissioner on Wednesday to take action against Sindh Governor Imran Ismail for his visit to a village in Dadu two days before by-election for PS-86.

The by-poll for the seat, which had fallen vacant after the death of PPP’s member of Sindh Assembly Ghulam Shah Jilani recently, is being held today (Thursday).

In-charge of PPP election cell Taj Hyder said in a statement that the governor met office-bearers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and announced release of special funds for the area on behalf of federal government though he insisted he did not intend to influence the election process.

He said that people know that this announcement would meet the same fate as that of federal government’s announcement of Rs162bn package for projects in Karachi. Not to mention release of a single rupee for Karachi, even genuine share of Sindh under National Finance Commission (NFC) had been withheld by this government, he said.

Imran Ismail visited a Dadu village two days before by-poll for PS-86

He said it was evident that the governor had tried to influence results of by-election and had blatantly violated section 167(a), 170(a)(v), 175(g) and 181 of the Election Act 2017, by making “false promises” with voters of the area after announcement of election schedule.

He said the governor was, unfortunately, oblivious of his obligation to remain neutral and non-partisan. The governor had made it a habit to publicly show his “disregard” for the Constitution and law and PPP looked forward to immediate action against him under the law, he said.

10 polling stations declared ‘most sensitive’

DADU: Ten out of 158 polling stations were declared most sensitive and 60 sensitive in the constituency for PS-86 Johi where by-election is being held today (Thursday).

Personnel of Pak Army and Rangers would be deployed at the polling stations to provide security and ensure free and fair election, said an official of Election Commission of Pakistan Sajid Khattak.

The seat had fallen vacant after the death of PPP MPA Syed Ghulam Shah Jilani who was known as Pir of Naing Sharif. Pir Mohammad Salih Shah of PPP, Sardar Imdad Ali Leghari of PTI and Sardar Shuja Ahmed Panhwar, an independent candidate, are contesting the seat.

According SSP Dr Farrukh Raza Malik, 1,300 police officials, 1,100 Rangers and Pak Army personnel will perform duties at the polling stations. A control room has been established at Johi and police headquarters in Dadu to monitor the situation, he said.

The most sensitive male and female polling stations were located at Johi, Tando Rahim and Chhinni union councils.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2019