The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday directed Chief Secretary Punjab to install CCTV cameras at all polling stations of NA-120 and Printing Press Lahore ahead of bye-election. The commission has written a letter to chief secretary and directed him to install CCTV cameras at Printing Corporation of Pakistan, Lahore and polling all stations of NA-120.
The letter was written by ECP to the provincial government on the request of Pakistan Army which will be deputed during NA-120 by-elections, scheduled for September 17. Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, is contesting on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket, which is also believed to be the home constituency of her husband. Dr Yasmeen Rashid of rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also emerged as a strong contender against Kulsoom.
Besides, the ECP issued show-cause notices to five parliamentarians of National Assembly and Provincial Assembly, belonging to PML-N for violating the code of conduct during by-election campaigns. The ECP has sought reply from them within three days.
The notice of violation of code of conduct was taken on the request of PTI candidate Yasmin Rashid. The parliamentarians include Shaista Pervez Malik, Kiran Dar, Rukhsana Kokab, Saba Sadiq and Maiza Hameed. As per ECP code of conduct, members of national and provincial assemblies can not visit the constituency, where a by-election is being held after the announcement of the election schedule.