Islamabad — The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday took notice of the irresponsible statement made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding the NA-18 Haripur by-election.
Addressing a rally in the Havelian tehsil of Abbottabad city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa yesterday, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had issued a stern warning to those attempting to alter or rig the results of the by-election scheduled for November 23 (Sunday).
In a press release issued by the Election Commission, it was stated that it had taken notice of the Chief Minister’s remarks in which he threatened the district administration, police, and election staff and incited the public and ordinary people present at the rally.
The statement said that the irresponsible behavior of the province’s chief executive has not only made it difficult to conduct a peaceful by-election in NA-18 Haripur, but has also endangered the lives of the district administration, police, election duty staff, and voters.
The Election Commission has issued notices to Sohail Afridi and PTI leader Omar Ayub’s wife, Sheharnaz Omar Ayub, for violating the Elections Act 2017 and the Code of Conduct, summoning them for a hearing tomorrow.
It may be recalled that Sheharnaz Omar Ayub is contesting for the seat that became vacant following her husband’s disqualification.
The Election Commission stated that it has directed the provincial election commissioner to immediately meet with the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Inspector General of Police to make necessary security arrangements and then submit a report to the Commission.
In his speech yesterday, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accused state institutions of failing to perform their duties, saying that the country stands at a major political turning point, is being deprived of justice, and that democratic principles are being weakened.
Sohail Afridi also appealed to state institutions to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.
The PTI leader predicted a decisive victory for Sheharnaz on November 23 and claimed that there is no real contest in the upcoming election.
Several PTI leaders also addressed the rally, including Omar Ayub, Senator Faisal Javed, MNA Junaid Akbar, MPA Iftikhar Khan Jadoon, former MNA Uzma Riaz, and Momina Basit.
