The ECP insists that public office holders are prohibited from attending election campaigns; issues an opinion to PML-Ns Talal Chaudhry
Election Commission of Pakistan building in Islamabad. Photo: Radio Pakistan
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s defense lawyer has called notices of violation of the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan “unwarranted”, arguing that Afridi never spoke at the rally in Haripur.
The ECP held a hearing on Friday to take action against public office holders 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 threats and alleged violations.
A four-member bench, headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, conducted the hearing. Sohail Afridi and opposition candidate from Haripur constituency Shehrnaz Ayub did not contest; however, their legal representatives were present. Lawyer Ali Bukhari, representing CM Afridi, appeared before the Election Commission on Friday, arguing that the notices were unwarranted.
“The Chief Minister addressed the rallies at Chamba and Haveliyan, which are on the border of the constituency,” the ECP secretary said. The Commission also pointed out that candidates from NA-18 Haripur, including Shahrnaz Omar Ayub, bear the responsibility for code violations within their constituencies.
“The KP chief minister intimidated the election staff. The constituency candidate Shehrnaz Omar Ayub is also responsible,” the ECP secretary added.
The defense lawyer argued that the chief minister had addressed a meeting in Abbottabad and not Haripur. “Is this opinion against Sohail Afridi founded? » asked Ali Bukhari.
Read: ECP takes note of KP CM’s remarks
“It is a fact that the Chief Minister addressed the gathering at Haveliyaan,” the commissioner said.
Bukhari argued that members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had also violated the code of conduct. “Punjab Chief Minister has provided a Rs 3 billion hospital in neighboring Haripur constituency,” Ali Bukhari said.
“Isn’t that a contradiction?” Ali Bukhari questioned.
The ECP, however, maintained that public office holders are prohibited from participating in election campaigns under the code of conduct and must avoid any action that may intimidate voters or election officials.
At a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP had taken cognizance of Thursday’s statement. He had also sent 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 became difficult to hold a peaceful by-election in NA-18 Haripur.
A notice was also issued to Federal Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry for violation of election rules. The notice to the federal minister would be in stronger terms than the one 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 notice addressed to the federal minister is in even firmer terms than the one addressed to you,” added the commissioner.
Learn more: PTI will contest by-elections with full force
The Commission has granted an exemption to Chief Minister Afridi for his absence today due to official engagements. The hearing has been adjourned sine die and the order for today’s session will be issued soon.
Punjab by-elections
In Punjab, campaigning for by-elections in 13 constituencies ended this evening, with voting scheduled for November 23. Voting will take place for six seats in the National Assembly and seven seats in the Provincial Assembly.
National Assembly constituencies include:
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NA-18 Haripur
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NA-96 Faisalabad
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NA-104 Faisalabad
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NA-129 Lahore
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NA-143 Sargodha
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NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan
The Provincial Assembly constituencies include:
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PP-73 Sargodha
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PP-87 Mianwali
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PP-98 Faisalabad
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PP-15 Faisalabad
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PP-116 Faisalabad
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PP-203 Sahiwal
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PP-269 Muzaffargarh
ECP has completed all preparations for the poll. Ballots and other election materials will be transferred from returning officers’ offices to polling stations tomorrow morning. Tight security arrangements were in place with the Army, Rangers and Frontier Corps deployed on election duty. 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 adhere to the code of conduct and all election campaigning is prohibited after midnight tonight.
