The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued notices to Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Special Assistant Huzaifa Rehman and several successful candidates for violating the election code of conduct. The commission has directed all concerned to appear before it on December 2.
According to the ECP, Huzaifa Rehman was earlier ordered to submit a reply; however, as the required explanation was not submitted, a summons notice has been issued once again. Notices have also been issued to successful PML-N candidates Bilal Chaudhry and Mahmood Qadir Khan in this regard. This action has been taken in light of the report of the District Monitoring Officer.
Meanwhile, cases of serious violations of the election code of conduct have increased, and the Election Commission has also summoned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi again. The hearing of the case has been scheduled for December 4 at 10 am, while the relevant notice has been formally received by the Chief Minister.
Taking further action, the ECP has also summoned former federal minister Omar Ayub’s wife, Shahrnaz Omar Ayub, and the successful PML-N candidate from NA-18, Babar Nawaz.
According to experts, the recent strictness of the Election Commission indicates that transparency and implementation of the code of conduct will be ensured at all costs in the upcoming elections. Analysts say that “the ECP’s increased action to regulate the activities of political parties is a clear message that no concession will be made for violations.”
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