Islamabad, August 23; Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan has been consistently addressing Election rallies in support of the candidates of his party and announcing development schemes on the occasion while visiting the by-election constituencies on state expense using the full state-funded protocol of the Prime Minister. Most recently, the Prime Minister addressed the election rally at Bahawalpur on August 20, 2010 in support of Mr. Ahmed Yar Waran who is PPPP candidate for the by-election from National Assembly constituency NA-184, Bahawalpur-II. On this occasion, he inaugurated a Rs. 1.36 billion gas supply project. He also announced projects for clean drinking water for the area. (Ref. Daily Jang Lahore, August 21, 2010, Page 1).

Earlier, the Prime Minister addressed an election rally on August 2, 2010 at Kehrore Pacca to lend support to his party�s candidate Nawab Hayatullah Khan Tarin for the by-election in constituency NA-155, Lodhran II. He announced the construction of a Sports Stadium in Tehsil Kehrore Pacca, a bridge on river Sutluj to link Kehrore Pacca with Kairpur Tamewali, Hasilpur Bahawalnager. He also promised to launch Drinking Water projects in the area soon. (Ref. Daily The News Islamabad, August 3, 2010)

On August 2, the Prime Minister addressed another election rally at Nowshehran Virkan (Gujranwala) to support his party candidate Chaudhry Tassadaq Masood Khan for the by-election in National Assembly Constituency NA-100, Gujranwala-VI. On the occasion, the Prime Minister performed the ground breaking ceremony for Rs. 82.3 million Nowshera Virkan Interchange Project. He also directed the Federal Minister of Water and Power on the occasion to upgrade the Nowshera Virkan Grid Station. He also promised that free electricity and free gas will also be provided to the poor people soon. He also promised that 3-5 Marla residential plots will also be distributed to the poor people soon. (Ref. Daily The News Islamabad, August 2, 2010)

On July 31, the Prime Minister addressed an election rally at Sillanwali to campaign for the PPPP-supported candidate Mr. Mazhar Qureshi for the by-election in the National Assembly Constituency NA-68, Sargodha V. He inaugurated a Rs. 500 million Gas supply project on the occasion. He also announced the construction of a bridge on river Jehlum to establish link between Shergarh and Rawana Balochan. He also distributed cheques of Rs. 2 Lacs each to 3 �deserving� persons. He also announced giving ownership rights to 766 occupants of Evacuee Property Trust property of Farooqia village. He announced Electricity supply in a part of the area with the estimated cost of Rs. 250 million. (Ref. Daily The News Islamabad, August 1, 2010)

Earlier the Prime Minister had addressed an election rally on May 11, 2010 at Muzaffargarh in support of PPPP candidate Mr. Jamshed Dasti in the National Assembly by-election from the constituency NA-178, Muzaffargarh III. While addressing the rally, the Prime Minister announced a Rs. 100 billion gas supply project for Muzaffargarh.

PILDAT sought clarification from the Honourable Chief Election Commissioner on August 3, 2010 through a letter whether Prime Minister�s continuing election rallies and announcement of development projects constituted violation of an electoral law or code of conduct.

There are numerous precedents when the Election Commission of India has prohibited Indian Prime Ministers, Ministers and Chief Ministers from using any state resource for participation in any activity which is remotely linked to electioneering. The announcement of any development project during election has been a serious offence in India leading to disqualification at times.

PILDAT feels that continuing use of state resources and announcement of development projects at election rallies by the Prime Minister is destroying the credibility of the democratic and electoral process in the country. Election Commission�s continuous silence at these apparent violations of electoral ethics and the code of conduct is extremely disturbing and damaging the concept of rule of law. The practice is not only being followed by the Prime Minister but also by the Ministers and advisors of Provincial governments especially in Punjab.

PILDAT has strongly demanded that the Election Commission should clarify the correct position and initiate action irrespective of the position of the violator of the sanctity of the electoral process. PILDAT has added that by allowing the credibility of the electoral process to erode, the ECP is indirectly weakening the democratic system in the country.