Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was served a show-cause notice by the District Election Commissioner in Chakwal on Monday, accusing the PTI chief of violating the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) code of conduct as he campaigned in the district on April 2 ahead of upcoming by-polls.

He must submit an explanation in the matter by April 6, the statement added.

The notice further explained that the ECP had already issued a code of conduct to all parties participating in the by-election in PP-23 Chakwal-IV, which is scheduled to be held on April 18.

It said that the contents of the code of conduct should be considered as directives of the ECP and action will be taken under Article 204 of the Constitution and Section 103A of the Representation of the People Act, 1976, if any of its clauses are violated.

"As per the directive of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the members of national and provincial assembly or any other person on their behalf shall not visit the constituency or a polling station after the issuance of schedule of by-election till the completion of polls," the statement read.

Addressing Imran Khan, it added, "You have violated the clause (vi) of the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan dated March 3, 2017, by undertaking the visit and addressing the general public at Tarhada of Tehsil Lawa District Chakwal on April 2, 2017, with regard to election campaign."

Read more: PTI not eligible for allotment of election symbol: Election Commission

Earlier, the ECP in a statement had said that PTI was not eligible to be issued an election symbol in the upcoming general elections as it has failed to hold intra-party elections.

ECP cited that PTI has failed to conduct intra-party elections as per Sections 11 and 12 of Political Parties Ordinance, 2002.

Therefore, according to the Section 14 of the same act, PTI was no longer eligible for "allotment of election symbol in the ensuing elections", the statement added.