The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday took serious notice of “irresponsible” comments made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding the upcoming by-election for the NA-18 seat in Haripur, scheduled for Sunday, November 23.
Addressing a rally yesterday, CM Afridi had issued a stern warning to those attempting to manipulate the election results. The ECP, in a press release, stated that the Chief Minister’s remarks “threatened the district administration, police, and staff deployed for the election,” and warned that such behavior jeopardizes the peaceful conduct of the election and puts the lives of those on duty and voters in danger.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notice to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct during a rally in Havelian.
Afridi has been summoned to appear before the commission on Friday.
The ECP… pic.twitter.com/9O0T6cCS6R
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Consequently, the electoral watchdog issued summons to CM Afridi and Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, the candidate contesting the seat, for allegedly violating the Elections Act 2017 and the ECP’s Code of Conduct. The ECP has also directed the provincial election commissioner to urgently meet with the Chief Secretary and police chief to ensure necessary precautionary arrangements are made. Furthermore, the ECP formally requested the deployment of civil armed forces and the Pakistan Army to ensure “foolproof security arrangements” in the constituency.
In his speech, CM Afridi also criticized “state institutions” for allegedly failing to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities and undermining democratic norms, though he predicted a decisive victory for the PTI-backed candidate, Shehrnaz, in the contest against PML-N’s nominee, Babar Nawaz Khan.
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