PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has imposed around Rs580,000 in fines on different political leaders against violations committed during the campaign for the second phase of local body elections in 18 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to details shared by the ECP, as of March 24, 1,035 violations were committed by politicians and public office holders during the election campaign.

Prominent among those who were fined include Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, federal ministers Murad Saeed, Ali Haider Zaidi, provincial ministers Anwer Zab and special assistant to the chief minister on minorities Wazir Zada, among others.

In this connection, district monitoring officers have issued 110 notices to those who violated code of conduct. ECP data shows that DMOs have also issued 26 warnings to leaders of different political parties and candidates contesting local body elections.

Similarly, DMOs have also stopped work on 23 development schemes, which were launched in violation of the code of conduct. The DMOs have also taken 21 disciplinary actions against violators of the code of conduct.

The ECP data indicates that DMOs have removed 832 publicity materials which were installed in violation of the approved size.

The highest fine of Rs 220,000 was imposed by DMO Mansehra for 242 violations, followed by Rs 95,000 by the DMO Kolai-Palas district, while fines of Rs 75,000 and Rs70,000 were imposed by the respective DMOs in Lower and Upper Chitral districts.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2022