LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan has penalised National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri for violating code of conduct in the by-polls for National Assembly constituency-75, Sialkot. A statement issued by the ECP spokesperson here on Tuesday said the district monitoring offi cer (Sialkot) imposed a penalty of Rs30,000 on Mr Suri for violation of code of conduct.

A notice dated Feb 11 sent to the deputy speaker says that he had been found visiting different parts of Daska city along with Ali Asjad Malhi, PTI candidate for the by-election in NA-75, canvassing for his election.

It says the Election Commission had on Dec 21, 2020 stated that the president, prime minister, chairman/deputy chairman of Senate, speaker/deputy speaker of an assembly, elected members of any assembly, federal and provincial cabinet members, governors, chief ministers, mayors/chairmen of local governments and/or their deputies and other public office-holders shall not participate in election campaign.

Mr Suri was directed by DMO Abdul Hameed to appear in person or through counsel to explain his violation of the code of conduct at Mr Hameed’s offi ce on Feb 12.

Meanwhile, DMO Abrar Ahmad has issued notices to MPAs Adil Bakhsh Chathha, Hina Parvaiz Butt amd Mirza Muhammad Javed, and MNAs Khurram Dastgir, Dr Nisar Ahmed Cheema and Marriyum Aurangzeb for violating the election of code by holding a political rally in the constituency on Feb 15.

They have been asked to submit their replies within two days or their matter will be referred to the ECP for further action.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2021