LAHORE, Sept 1: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked the Punjab government to explain as to why it transferred at least 26 civil and police officials after announcement of schedule for the by-election in the NA-68 constituency, Sargodha.

PML-N candidate Sardar Shafqat Hayat Baloch won the by-election by securing record number of 90,000 votes in this constituency. The Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and Jamaat-i-Islami had accused the Punjab government of using state machinery for 'massive' rigging in the by-election and urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to look into the matter.

Mian Mazhar Qureshi, the runner up candidate, had also filed a complaint with the ECP.

In a letter to the Punjab chief secretary, the ECP has said: “After announcement of schedule for the by-election in the NA-68 constituency, 26 civil and police officers were transferred and posted. The Sahiwal deputy director (revenue) and his subordinate staff - patwari, gardawar, tehsildar, secretaries of union councils and Shahpur and Sillonwali DDO (revenue) campaigned for Baloch.”

The letter says: “Your attention is drawn towards the commission's letter mentioned above wherein direction of the chief election commissioner was conveyed that in the interest of free and fair by-election and to avoid any misgivings, transfers of civil and police officers should not to be made in the district concerned till the completion of the process of by-polls.”

It says all such orders (on transfers/postings of 26 officials) issued in violation of the said direction be cancelled immediately, responsibility be fixed and action taken against those who violated ECP's orders.

The chief secretary has been directed to look into the matter himself and furnish a report to the commission within a week so that action is taken in accordance with the law. Copies of complaints have been sent to the chief secretary.