ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has served a notice upon Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to appear before it today in connection with the alleged violation of the election code during the Haripur by-election.
As per the ECP’s interim order, the notice has been issued for Afridi to appear in person. Ali Bukhari, representing the Chief Minister, moved an application for exemption from personal appearance. The ECP allowed the request for one day and rescheduled the hearing for 12 PM today.
Besides that, the Peshawar High Court has also consented to a petition by Sohail Afridi challenging the Election Commission’s notice, which is going to be heard soon. In his petition, Afridi argued that the notice which was issued to him by the ECP was not legal and he requested that it be declared invalid.
The notice comes in connection with the Haripur by-election, where Afridi is said to have acted against the electoral code of conduct. The Election Commission is investigating and considering if the Chief Minister’s conduct was a factor that led to the election process in the district being deemed unfair.
ECP takes notice of Asad Qaiser’s rigging allegations in by-elections
Earlier on Monday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has responded to allegations made by Asad Qaiser, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging that the commission changed the results of the recent by-elections.
It is said that the ECP has instructed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to provide a transcript of Qaiser’s statements. Once the transcript is examined, the Election Commission will determine whether any legal measures should be pursued concerning the accusations.
Asad Qaiser, addressing the press asserted that the ECP personnel had posted results, on the official site during the by-elections. He conveyed his dissatisfaction, describing it as “unfortunate” that these mistakes were happening and accused the commission of damaging the credibility of the process.
“Once again, the true face of the Election Commission has been exposed,” Qaiser stated, adding that if this was the norm, for managing elections it would have been preferable to release a direct notification rather than organizing elections.
This progress occurs during a continuing contempt of court matter in the ECP concerning PTI’s founder, who has earlier expressed worries about the commission’s behaviour in elections.
The Election Commission’s decision to investigate the allegations introduces an element of complexity to the political scenario, especially as the PTI persists in questioning the legitimacy of the election procedure.
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