LAHORE: Election Commissioner Punjab Sharifullah said on Thursday that Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Huzaifa Rehman had been brought to notice for allegedly violating the code of conduct of the Elections Act 2017.
A spokesperson for the provincial electoral commissioner said the federal minister and SAPM were asked to submit their explanations by November 21 (today).
“No minister or adviser is allowed to conduct an election campaign,” the spokesman said, warning that swift action will be taken against any violation of the code to ensure free, fair and impartial elections.
By-elections in six national and seven provincial assembly seats in Punjab are scheduled for November 23.
According to Dera Ghazi Khan District Vigilance Officer, Leghari was allegedly participating in the election campaign of PML-N candidate Mahmood Leghari in NA-185 constituency.
The monitoring officer said Leghari violated official instructions by joining the campaign as a federal minister. The minister has been asked to appear before the authorities and clarify his position on the alleged ECP violations.
The monitoring officer further said that SAPM Rehman has violated the electoral code of conduct. The officer said that SAPM intends to participate in the election campaign for the PML-N candidate.
Meanwhile, the Faisalabad District Vigilance Officer wrote to the Election Commission alleging that the Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry had repeatedly violated the election code of conduct.
The monitoring officer told the election watchdog that the chief minister had been warned over the phone about his conduct but failed to comply with the ECP code despite two earlier notices.
The prime minister was fined Rs 50,000 for violating the ECP’s code of conduct, the official said, adding that the matter was forwarded to the election body for “further action”.
It is pertinent to mention here that the by-election campaigns for 13 constituencies of Punjab National and Provincial Assemblies will officially end at midnight on November 21.
Arrangements have almost been completed to hold by-elections in six national and seven provincial assembly constituencies in Punjab on November 23.
The ECP warned that candidates who continue to engage in political activities after this deadline will face legal consequences.
The ECP warned that those who violate these rules may face penalties such as imprisonment for a maximum of two years, a fine of up to Rs100,000 or both.
The National Assembly constituencies included NA-18 Haripur, NA-96 Faisalabad-Il, NA-104 Faisalabad-X, NA-129 Lahore-XIll, NA-143 Sahiwal-IlI, NA-185 DG Khan-ll, PP-73 SarwalPPha-lII,- 9M Faisalabad-I, PP-115 Faisalabad-XVIll, PP-203 Sahiwal-VI and PP-269 Muzaffargarh-ll.
