The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday took notice of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s “irresponsible” comments regarding the upcoming by-election for NA-18 in Haripur.
Addressing a public gathering in Abbottabad’s Havelian yesterday, Afridi had issued a stern warning to those attempting to manipulate or change the result of the by-election scheduled for November 23 (Sunday).
In a press release, the ECP said it had taken notice of the KP CM’s remarks, wherein he “threatened the district administration, police and staff deployed for the election, and incited the public present at the rally and the people in general”.
“Not only has the provincial chief executive’s irresponsible behaviour made holding a peaceful by-election in NA-18 Haripur difficult, it has also put the lives of the district administration, police, staff posted on election duties, and the voters in danger.”
The electoral watchdog has issued notices to CM Afridi and Shehrnaz Omar Ayub — PTI leader Omar Ayub’s wife — for violating the Elections Act 2017 and the Code of Conduct, summoning them tomorrow, the statement said.
Shehrnaz is contesting for the NA-18 seat left vacant after her husband lost it due to his disqualification in August.
The ECP noted that it had directed the provincial election commissioner to urgently meet with the KP chief secretary and the police chief to “make the necessary precautionary arrangements”, and then submit a report to the ECP.
In his speech yesterday, the KP CM said that the country was on the verge of a major political development and accused “state institutions” of failing to fulfil their responsibilities. He said that justice was being denied and democratic norms were being undermined in the country.
Afridi urged state institutions to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities. He said that powerful forces should read the writing on the wall. The PTI leader predicted a decisive victory for Shehrnaz on November 23, claiming there was no real competition in the upcoming election.
The rally was also addressed by several PTI leaders, including Ayub, Senator Faisal Javed, MNA Junaid Akbar, MPA Iftikhar Khan Jadoon, former MNA Uzma Riaz and Momina Basit.
The NA-18 seat had fallen vacant after Ayub’s disqualification following his convictions in cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots.
More to follow
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