ECP insists public officeholders prohibited from attending poll campaigns; issues notice to PML-Ns Talal Chaudhry
Election Commission of Pakistan building in Islamabad. Photo: Radio Pakistan
Defence counsel of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called the code of conduct violations notices issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan “unjustified”, arguing that Afridi never addressed the rally in Haripur.
The ECP conducted a hearing on Friday to take action against public officeholders for alleged violations of the election code of conduct ahead of the upcoming by-elections scheduled for November 23. A notice was issued yesterday to CM Afridi regarding alleged threats and 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 appear; however, their legal representatives attended. Lawyer Ali Bukhari, representing CM Afridi, showed in the Election Commission on Friday, arguing that the notices were unjustified.
“The Chief Minister addressed rallies in Chamba and Haveliyan, which are at the border of the constituency,” said the ECP Secretary. The Commission has also highlighted that candidates from NA-18 Haripur, including Shahrnaz Omar Ayub, bear responsibility for code violations within their constituencies.
“The K-P Chief Minister intimidated election staff. The candidate from the constituency, Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, is equally responsible,” the ECP Secretary added.
The defence counsel argued that the chief minister had addressed a meeting in Abbottabad, not Haripur. “Does this notice against Sohail Afridi hold merit?” asked Ali Bukhari.
Read: ECP takes notice of K-P CM’s remarks
“It is a fact that the Chief Minister addressed the gathering in Haveliyaan,” said the commissioner.
Bukhari argued that members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have also violated the code of conduct. “The Chief Minister of Punjab has provided a Rs3 billion hospital in the adjoining constituency of Haripur,” Ali Bukhari said.
“Isn’t this a contradiction?” Ali Bukhari questioned.
The ECP, however, maintained that public officeholders 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 the chief election commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP had taken notice of the statement on Thursday. It had also issued notices to CM Afridi and NA-18 candidate Shehrnaz Omar and directed the Provincial Election Commissioner to hold a meeting with the chief secretary and the K-P inspector general of police.
According to the ECP, due to the irresponsible conduct of the provincial chief executive, it has become difficult to hold a peaceful by-election in NA-18 Haripur.
A notice has also been issued to Federal Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, for breaching election rules. The notice to the federal minister is reportedly in stronger terms than that issued to the KP Chief Minister.
“Today, we have also issued a notice to the Federal Minister for violation of the code of conduct,” said the commissioner. “The notice issued to the Federal Minister is in even stronger terms than the one issued to you,” the commissioner added.
Read more: PTI to contest by-polls with full force
The Commission granted an exemption to Chief Minister Afridi for today’s absence 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 polling scheduled for November 23. Voting will take place for six National Assembly seats and seven Provincial Assembly seats.
The 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
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 polling. Ballot papers and other election material will be transferred from returning officers’ offices to polling stations tomorrow morning. Strict security arrangements have been put 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 polling 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.
