Arrest warrants issued against over 1000 government employees

Returning Officers (ROs) on Saturday issued arrest warrants of over 1000 government employees who have refused to perform election duty in Lahore.

The respective Station House Officers (SHOs) have also been directed to arrest these employees and produce them in the court.

ROs had summoned the employees of different government departments in connection with the performance of duties in 13 constituencies of national assembly and 25 constituencies of provincial assembly in Lahore. Some employees held out assurance that they would perform the duties while about 1000 employees kept on pursuing evasive tactics and sending applications to avoid the duty.

In pursuit to Clause 2 Paragraph (A) of Article 179 of Civil Servants Act -1964 and Clause 1 of Article 178, the services of government employees can be hired to aid administrative affairs under activity of federation.

It is binding for government employees to perform duties during polls and they are compensated for such duties. Those who refuse to perform election duty are liable to be proceeded against under Articles 178 and 179 of the constitution. Such punishment may entail termination from service.

Article 220 of the constitution makes it binding on federal and provincial governments to assist the election commission to deal with administrative matters.