ECP warns KP Govt against use of govt resources in election campaign
The upcoming by-election in four National Assembly constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could be postponed if the provincial government did not comply with the code of conduct, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in a rare warning against the use of the provincial government’s helicopter and state resources for electioneering.
The commission, which met here with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in the chair, to consider continued violations of the code of conduct by KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and his cabinet members, who are campaigning for PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who is the party’s sole candidate for the four constituencies i.e Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan and Kurram.
The meeting was attended by ECP members and secretary, KP chief secretary and advocate general.
The ECP made it clear that if the provincial government did not comply with the code of conduct and cooperate with it with regards to the electoral exercise, the commission would be forced to postpone by-elections in the province.
ECP warns KP Govt against use of govt resources in election campaign
The commission also decided to hold a formal hearing in the matter and ordered the of fice to issue necessary notices in this regard.
The CEC directed the chief secretary and the advocate general to tell the KP government that the ECP would not tolerate violation of the code of conduct under any circumstances.
“The Election Commission shall exercise its constitutional powers under Article 218(3) to ensure that all political parties and candidates have equal opportunities in the elections. The Election Commission will take immediate legal action against all parties, candidates and others responsible for violating the Constitution, law and code of conduct by exercising its all constitutional and legal powers,” Sikandar Sultan Raja CEC emphasised.
The ECP statement was issued in the wake of a video clip making the rounds on social media, showing PTI Chairman Imran Khan reaching Charsadda in the KP government’s helicopter to address a public rally.
Last week, the ECP twice served notices on former premier Imran Khan, KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and other provincial ministers as well as fined them for addressing and attending a political rally and using state resources in violation of the ECP code.
