ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s on Monday issued notices to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to explain why he and his party had announced just days ahead of local government elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), which are due on May 30.
In addition to the notice to the PTI chief to appear in person on May 21, it directed PTI MNA and MPAs from indulging in acts that constitute pre-poll rigging and violation of the electoral body’s code of conduct.
The notice was issued after a petition was filed by a candidate running for Tehsil Council in Haripur, claiming that the PTI had announced rallies, to be headlined by Imran Khan, in various parts of the province ahead of polls.
The PTI had recently issued a programme of rallies whereby Imran is scheduled to visit Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur on May 19; Mardan, Kohat and Bannu on May 21; Dir, Malakhand, Swat and Buner on May 23; while Swabi, Charsada, Peshawar and Nowshera on May 26.
The ECP had recently amended its code of conduct for elections, barring all parliamentary members, the prime minister, cabinet members as well as senators from taking part in election campaigns of candidates running in any elections.
A notification issued by the ECP two weeks ago, read, “After the issuance of schedule of by-elections, the President, Prime Minister, Chairman/Deputy chairman Senate, Speakers of Assemblies, Federal Ministers and Advisors to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, Provincial Ministers and Advisors to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, Members of the National Assembly/Provincial Assembly and other public office holders will neither visit the area of any constituency nor shall openly or in secret give any subscription or donation or make promise for giving such subscription or donation to any institution of a constituency, nor shall inaugurate, commit to undertake or announce any development project of a candidate of his choice and thereby influence the results of election”.
ECP officials told The Express Tribune that while there is no bar on MNAs and MPAs from visiting their constituencies, but they cannot announce any development schemes or make any such pledges.
ECP has been minutely observing party activities and their leaders such that they could not influence results of the forthcoming by-polls but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) skilfully dodged the poll body last week.
By-elections are scheduled for June 8 in NA-108 (Mandi Bahauddin) and PP-196 (Multan) in Punjab and PK-56 (Mansehra) in K-P.
PTI chairman had recently addressed a rally in Multan last week and prompted the commission to look into the matter but found that the party had skilfully avoided the bar by selecting a venue that was situated outside the constituency boundaries.
“We have brought it [rally] to the notice of ECP Secretary,” a senior ECP official told The Express Tribune on Sunday. However, it was found that the venue of the rally was rally some 12km away from the constituency where by-elections are to take place.
In its notice issued on Monday, the ECP asked PTI chief and chief secretary K-P to appear before the commission on May 21.
“You are, therefore, required to explain your position on the complaint of petitioner and also appear before Hon’ble Election Commission of Pakistan in person on the above-mentioned date and time in the Election Commission Secretariat….. failing which the matter will be decided in your absence” read the notification addressing PTI chief, K-P chief and the complainant.
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