MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: While the election day of NA-120 by-poll (September 17) is approaching fast, election campaign in the constituency has gained full momentum.

The candidates contesting the poll are visiting door to door to muster support of the voters of the constituency. On the other hand, the violation of code of ethics issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the said election is being made by the contesting candidates. The PPP candidate Faisal Mir objected over the violations and questioned the authority of the ECP.

The ECP has already barred federal minister Mohammad Pervaiz Malik, who was earlier named election campaign incharge of PML-N candidate, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, from taking part in the campaign.

On Thursday, the ECP asked Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin not to take part in the NA-120 by-election campaign in Lahore.

The counsel of Bilal Yasin submitted reply to the notice issued by the ECP.

Since the ECP’s code of conduct was issued, the PTI has been complaining against the bar on elected members participating in the election campaign.

The PTI is holding a rally in Lahore on Friday (tomorrow), but not in the area which falls under the NA-120 constituency.

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed Chief Secretary Punjab to install CCTV Cameras in Printing Corporation of Pakistan in Lahore and all the polling stations in connection with the by-election in NA-120. A letter has been dispatched to the Chief Secretary in this regard.

On the other hand, Maryam Nawaz, who is leading election campaign of her mother Thursday chaired a meeting to review the election campaign conducted so far.

Among others the meeting was attended by Pervaiz Rasheed, Khawaja Ahmed Hassan, Tehmina Doultana, Dr Asif Kirmani. The sources claimed that the meeting decided that Maryam Nawaz would meet the selected people from every street in the constituency to muster their support. According to sources, Maryam asked the PML-N workers to use all their energies for success of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz with wide margin. She said the NA-120 would prove waterloo for our opponents.

She also visited different areas of the constituency and sought support of people for bye-election. Maryam addressed a gathering of traders and sought their support for her mother in the bye-election. The PTI candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid and her party MPAs also continued door to door campaign.