ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday took notice of harassment and misconduct faced by a PML-N candidate in Multan and directed the government to provide security to candidates in Multan, Narowal and several other areas. In a letter to Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Hasan Askari Rizvi, the ECP secretary said that free and fair elections can not be ensured until and unless maintenance of law and order is guaranteed. It was added in the letter that government officials were aware of the threats to candidates, but nothing was done to this end. “It appears, unfortunately, that concerned authorities have yet to take the bull by the horns,” the letter said. Moreover, it was said that there are threats to candidates in various districts and regions of Punjab and that the government and police must provide security for free, fair and transparent elections. Over the weekend, a PML-N candidate in Multan claimed in a social media post that he was beaten up by security officials and forced to change his vote.