Govt takes actions against officers facilitating political campaigns

KARACHI: In a bid to take action against officers for violating the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct, the Sindh government suspended several officials for election campaigning for political parties against, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday.

In this regard, Khairpur Abdul Deputy Commissioner Fattah Hulio has served a show-cause notice upon most powerful DC Office senior clerk Mazhar Ali Manganhar to justify his position.

According to the show-cause notice, the ECP had strictly directed all the officers of federal as well as provincial governments to immediately refrain from any kind of involvement in political activities and extending any material support during general elections 2018 through physical participation, media or other sources.

The government officers were also mandated by the ECP to guard public property and resources under their responsibility from being used for political purposes.

And whereas the ECP has issued severe direction that in case of any violation, the delinquent government servant should be reported for strict disciplinary proceedings under relevant Efficiency & Discipline (E&D) laws. Furthermore, they may also be penalised under elections laws through a competent authority.

“And whereas, it has been reported/brought into the notice of the undersigned that you are personally involved in political/election-related activities and sufficient documentary proof is available on the record against you that you are involved in electioneering/canvassing for a political party. Thereby means that you have violated ECP’s code of Conduct. Now, therefore, you are hereby directed to explain your position within 3 days about above-mentioned violation that why action should not be taken against you under E&D rules/laws or the matter should not be moved to District Returning Officer, Khairpur and Election Commission of Pakistan for initiating proceedings under E&D Rules/Law”, the show-cause notice stated.

Separately, Sanghar Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Bhatti has also forwarded names of officers to the Shaheed Benazirabad district’s regional election commissioner recommending their suspension for violating the election rules for the government officers.

In pursuance of directions of Sindh chief secretary, the following officers of various departments who have been found in violating the code of conduct for general elections 2018 have been recommended for suspension with immediate effect.

They included Shahdadpur’s Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) Senior Engineer Sharif Dahri,  Dr Health Department Medical Superintendent and Shahdadpur Information Department’s Information Officer Bachal GirwanKashif Magsi.