ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has made a move in the matter involving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi concerning alleged breaches of the electoral code of conduct.
The commission has sought a written reply, from the Chief Minister addressing the objections related to its jurisdiction and has furthermore issued an official written directive.
At the hearing the ECP allowed Afridi additional time to present his reply. Nonetheless the written order records that the Chief Minister failed to provide the response, within the designated timeframe and the complainant candidate Shehbaz Umar Ayub also did not appoint any representative.
In its written ruling the ECP mentioned that despite Afridi challenging the cases admissibility all legal issues could be officially addressed in the written reply. The commission will examine these objections at the time.
Furthermore, the ECP instructed the D.A.R.O Haripur to suspend any proceedings, against the Chief Minister with the intention of avoiding concurrent actions or disputes in the matter presently being examined.
The decision clarified that all aspects of the case will be examined in accordance with law and procedure, and the points raised by the Chief Minister will be evaluated only after the written response is received. The ECP emphasized that a final determination on the case’s admissibility and its jurisdiction will be made at the proper time.
ECP rejects to allegations of rigging in NA-18 Haripur
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has categorically rejected all allegations of rigging in the NA-18 Haripur by-election, responding to claims made by certain political parties.
In an official statement, the ECP termed the allegations as baseless and aimed at undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
The Commission highlighted that specific elements have consistently attempted to make by-elections controversial. It also clarified that claims regarding the appointment of district returning officers (DRO) and returning officers (RO) as part of a supposed conspiracy were contrary to the facts.
The ECP explained that due to staff shortages during general elections, it is not always possible to appoint officers. However, for by-elections, the Commission assigns its own officers as DROs and ROs.
These officers had already been stationed in the area for the NA-18 by-election, and no political party had raised objections to their appointments until the polling day.
Furthermore, the Commission denied the accusation that Form 45 had been pre-prepared, calling the claim false and misleading. It also clarified that the presiding officers were provided by the provincial administration, and had the ECP wished, it could have appointed federal government employees for the task.
The ECP stated that the provincial administration was responsible for handling polling bags, submitting results to the RO’s office, and ensuring security arrangements for the election.
In response to the allegations of rigging following the loss of the election, the Commission emphasized that repeated claims of malpractice after each election undermine the democratic process.
The ECP urged that any objections to the election results should be taken to the election tribunal, the proper legal forum for addressing such concerns.
The election commission reiterated its commitment to conducting all elections in accordance with the constitution and the law, and asserted that it would continue to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the future.
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