The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday removed the returning officer of NA-44 of Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over alleged misuse of power, the spokesperson for the ECP said.

“It was noticed that the returning officer of NA-44, DI Khan allegedly abused his authority and altered the election symbol of a candidate within his constituency without any reason,” the spokesperson added.

The 12th general elections in Pakistan, after a four-month delay, are scheduled to be held on February 8.

According to the spokesperson, the ECP took swift action by suspending the RO and directed him to report to the establishment department.

The electoral watchdog constituted a three-member inquiry committee headed by the election commissioner of KP for further action against the RO.

The ECP has appointed Syed Gulfam Abbas Shah, additional deputy commissioner of DI Khan as the RO in the NA-44 constituency.