8 held for using Pakistan Army Chief photos on posters

Eight candidates contesting the December 5 local government elections were booked for using Army Chief Raheel Sharif’s picture during the campaign in Pakistan’s Rahimyar Khan district.

“The arrests have been made in Liaquatpur area. They have been booked under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance,” said a police official.

He said the accused used Gen. Sharif’s picture on posters. The candidates belong to the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and four of them are Independent, he added.

The pictures of Gen. Sharif on posters showed that the candidates enjoyed his backing, said a police official.

ECP spokesperson Huda Ali said the electoral code of conduct does not stop anyone from using the picture of the Army Chief.

She, however, said the sections on the basis of which cases have been registered fall within the definition of violation of the conduct.

Mohammed Aslam, the Independent candidate booked by the police, says his rivals are behind the conspiracy. Another two candidates from Ward No 17 said the controversy has been orchestrated by their opponents belonging to the PML-N.

Meanwhile, polling for the first ever local elections in Islamabad will be held on December 5.

According to a spokesman of Election Commission of Pakistan, over 676,000 registered voters will use their right of franchise.

More than 2400 candidates are vying for the seats of chairman, vice-chairman and councillors. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure security and maintenance of law and order.