Ordering the inspector general of Police (IGP), Punjab to conduct an inquiry into the ‘negligence’ shown by concerned officials in restoring order at a polling station in Muzzafargarh when scuffle broke out during a by-election there, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday also ordered him to appear along with an inquiry report on the next date of hearing of the case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The former and present district police officers (DPOs) Muzzafargarh appeared before the ECP bench, which headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case. 

The CEC, on the occasion, remarked that the ECP was exercising restraint. “We are giving an opportunity to the police to make amends for its mistakes. Otherwise, we can take action like the one we had taken following the Daska by-election,” he warned. 

He asked the concerned officials as to what action they had taken when they learnt about the incident. “It is strange that different people, accompanied by guards dressed in fake FC uniforms, were roaming around in the constituency,” he said, and regretted that sadly no action was taken against them. 

The district monitoring officer (DMO) replied that he had written a letter to the DPO.   

The CEC also asked as to why the IGP had not showed up today. 

The regional police officer (RPO) replied that the name of the ex-Punjab IGP Rao Sardar was written in the notice. “And when we contacted the ECP for confirmation, we were told that only that official would appear whose name was mentioned in the notice,” he added.   

CEC Raja noted with concern that none of the officials, including the DRO, the returning officer (RO) and the DMO had done justice to their duties. “When the ECP employees themselves overlook the orders of their bosses, how can we blame the government for any wrongdoing?” he questioned.  

He reminded that the commission had even complained in writing about the people donning fake uniforms. 

The former DPO replied that on his instructions the police had taken those persons into custody. “And I was at the site when I learnt about attack on the polling station,” he said, and added that he had immediately sent the DSP and the SHO to control the situation.   

Later, the election commission deferred hearing of the case until September 12, 2022. 

Reporter: Usman Khan