LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday claimed that the Punjab government was violating the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct ahead of the by-elections.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja has taken notice of a statement by Qureshi who claimed the credibility of the ECP was at stake as efforts were ongoing to steal by-polls on 20 vacant provincial assembly seats.

Addressing a press conference along with former Punjab minister Yasmin Rashid, the PTI Vice-Chairman claimed  that the 20 seats are a matter of survival for the Hamza Shehbaz-led government and the incumbent chief minister will try to “win them by any means.”

He also questioned the commission’s ability to conduct the by-elections, saying people’s confidence in the ECP was shrinking by the day. He alleged the institution takes dictation from PML-N leadership.

“The commission could not even conduct a smooth by-election in Karachi as all parties, except the MQM-P, are challenging the results,” he said, referring to the recent by-polls in NA-240 constituency.

Qureshi claimed that the PML-N has started pre-poll rigging ahead of by-elections. He accused the Election Commissioner of aiding the ruling party in this regard.

“Such actions put a question mark on the credibility of the institution, which is bound by the Constitution to hold free and fair elections in the country,”

Qureshi alleged that PML-N candidates had been informed that Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz would ensure their victory in the by-polls in order to protect his seat.

READ MORE: ECP summons PTI, PML-N candidates after clash in Lahore

He went on to say that reports were circulating claiming that 18 seats would go to the PML-N while the remaining two would go to the PTI in the upcoming by-polls.

Qureshi said deputy commissioners and district police officers were transferred in districts where the by-elections were taking place, Qureshi said.  “They have been told that if they fail to deliver the desired results, then they will not be allowed to remain there,” he claimed.

The PTI leader warned the provincial government of street agitation and public reaction if it attempted to manipulate the by-elections.

Shortly after the press conference, CEC took notice of the PTI leader’s claims and sought a report from the Punjab election commissioner within 24 hours.

He also directed ECP officials to look out for poll code violations in all 20 constituencies and to take stringent action against them. “The CEC should be informed of all actions taken in this regard,” the statement said.

The by-polls for 20 seats that had fallen vacant after the ECP de-seated PTI lawmakers for not following party directions during the Punjab chief minister’s election will be held on July 17.