Afridi’s lawyer calls ECP notification on violation of election code ‘unfounded’

The defense lawyer for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called code-of-conduct violation notices issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan “baseless” and argued that Afridi never addressed the rally in Haripur.

The ECP conducted 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 yesterday issued 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 turn up; however, their legal representatives attended. Advocate Ali Bukhari, representing CM Afridi, appeared in the Election Commission on Friday and argued that the notices were unwarranted.

“The chief minister was addressing rallies in Chamba and Haveliyan, which are on the border of the constituency,” the ECP secretary said. The commission has also highlighted that candidates from NA-18 Haripur, including Shahrnaz Omar Ayub, bear the responsibility of code violations in their constituencies.

“The KP chief minister intimidated the polling staff. The candidate from the constituency, Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, is equally responsible,” the ECP secretary added.

The defense counsel argued that the Chief Minister had addressed a meeting in Abbottabad, not Haripur. “Is this notice against Sohail Afridi justified?” 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 alleged 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,” said Ali Bukhari.

“Isn’t this a contradiction in terms?” asked Ali Bukhari.

However, the ECP maintained that public officials are prohibited from participating in election campaigns under the code of conduct and must avoid actions that may intimidate voters or election officials.

In a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the ECP had taken note 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 KP police inspector.

According to the ECP, due to the irresponsible behavior of the provincial chief, it has become difficult to hold a peaceful by-election in NA-18 Haripur.

A notice has also been issued to Federal Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry for violating election rules. The notice to the federal minister is reportedly in stronger terms than the one issued 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 to the federal minister is in even stronger terms than the one issued to you,” the commissioner added.

Read more: PTI will contest by-polls with full force

The Commission has granted a dispensation to Prime Minister Afridi for today’s absence due to official commitments. 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 ended tonight, with voting scheduled for November 23. Voting will take place for six seats in the National Assembly and seven seats in the Provincial Assembly.

The National Assembly constituencies include:

• NA-18 Haripur

• NA-96 Faisalabad

• NA-104 Faisalabad

• NA-129 Lahore

• NA-143 Sargodha

• NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan

The Provincial Assembly constituencies include:

• PP-73 Sargodha

• PP-87 Mianwali

• PP-98 Faisalabad

• PP-15 Faisalabad

• PP-116 Faisalabad

• PP-203 Sahiwal

• PP-269 Muzaffargarh

ECP has completed all preparations for voting. Ballots and other election materials will be transferred from the voting offices to the polling stations tomorrow morning. Strict security arrangements have been put in place, with the Army, Rangers and Frontier Corps deployed for electoral duty. Security personnel will be deployed outside the polling stations, with special teams inside the polling stations to ensure the integrity of the process.

All political parties have been instructed to adhere to the code of conduct and all campaigning is prohibited after midnight tonight.