ECP insists that public officials are prohibited from attending election campaigns; issues notice to PML-N’s Talal Chaudhry
Election Commission of Pakistan building in Islamabad. Photo: Radio Pakistan
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s defense lawyer Sohail Afridi termed the notices of code of conduct violations issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan as “unjustified”, arguing that Afridi never addressed the rally in Haripur.
The ECP held a hearing on Friday to take action against public officials for alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct ahead of the upcoming by-elections scheduled for November 23. A notice was issued to CM Afridi yesterday regarding alleged threats and violations.
A four-member tribunal, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, conducted the hearing. Sohail Afridi and opposition candidate from Haripur constituency Shehrnaz Ayub did not appear; However, their legal representatives attended. Lawyer Ali Bukhari, representing CM Afridi, appeared before the Election Commission on Friday, arguing that the notices were unjustified.
“The Chief Minister spoke at rallies in Chamba and Haveliyan, which are on the constituency border,” the ECP Secretary said. The Commission has also highlighted that NA-18 Haripur candidates, including Shahrnaz Omar Ayub, are responsible for code violations within their constituencies.
“The KP Chief Minister intimidated the election staff. The constituency candidate Shehrnaz Omar Ayub is equally responsible,” the ECP secretary added.
The defense lawyer argued that the prime minister had addressed a meeting in Abbottabad, not Haripur. “Does this notice have merit against Sohail Afridi?” asked Ali Bukhari.
Read: ECP takes note of KP CM’s statements
“It is a fact that the Chief Minister addressed those gathered at Haveliyaan,” the commissioner said.
Bukhari argued that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members have also violated the code of conduct. “The Punjab Chief Minister has provided a Rs 3,000-crore hospital in the adjoining Haripur constituency,” Ali Bukhari said.
“Isn’t this a contradiction?” -Ali Bukhari questioned.
The ECP, however, maintained that public officials are prohibited from participating in election campaigns under the code of conduct and must avoid actions that could intimidate voters or election officials.
In a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP took note of the statement on Thursday. He also issued notices to CM Afridi and NA-18 candidate Shehrnaz Omar and directed the Provincial Election Commissioner to hold a meeting with the KP chief secretary and inspector general of police.
According to the ECP, due to the irresponsible conduct of the provincial chief executive, it has become difficult to hold peaceful by-elections in NA-18 Haripur.
A notice was also issued to Federal Home Minister Talal Chaudhry for violating election rules. The notification to the federal minister is reportedly stronger than the one sent to the KP Chief Minister.
“Today we have also issued a notice to the Federal Minister for violation of the code of conduct,” the commissioner said. “The notification addressed to the Federal Minister is even more forceful than the one we have sent to you,” added the commissioner.
Read more: PTI will contest the by-elections with all its strength
The Commission granted exemption to Chief Minister Afridi for his absence today due to official engagements. The hearing was adjourned indefinitely and the order for today’s session will be issued soon.
By-elections in Punjab
In Punjab, campaigning for by-elections in 13 constituencies concluded tonight, with elections scheduled for November 23. Voting will be held for six seats in the National Assembly and seven seats in the Provincial Assembly.
The National Assembly electoral districts include:
-
NA-18 Haripur
-
NA-96 Faisalabad
-
NA-104 Faisalabad
-
NA-129 Lahore
-
NA-143 Sargoda
-
NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan
The Provincial Assembly electoral districts include:
-
PP-73 Sargoda
-
PP-87 Mianwali
-
PP-98 Faisalabad
-
PP-15 Faisalabad
-
PP-116 Faisalabad
-
PP-203 Sahiwal
-
PP-269 Muzaffargarh
ECP has completed all preparations for the elections. The ballots and other electoral material will be transferred tomorrow morning from the tellers’ offices to the polling stations. Tight security measures have been implemented, with the Army, Rangers and Frontier Corps deployed on election duties. Security personnel will be stationed outside polling stations, with special teams inside voting rooms to ensure the integrity of the process.
All political parties have been instructed to comply with the code of conduct and all election campaigning is prohibited after midnight tonight.
