ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday took notice of persistent violations of the election code of conduct by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and his cabinet members, and decided to convene a meeting on Monday (tomorrow) to consider taking appropriate legal action against them.

The ECP in a statement regretted that the government’s helicopter and state resources were being “blatantly used” in the campaign for by-polls to be held next month.

The decision came the day when video footage showing PTI Chairman Imran Khan reaching Charsadda to address a public rally riding the KP government’s helicopter took rounds on social media.

The decision came two days after Mr Khan, the KP chief minister and his cabinet members were fined Rs50,000 each for attending a political rally in Peshawar.

Peshawar’s district monitoring officer (DMO), Shahabuddin, had served notices on the PTI chairman, KP chief minister and provincial ministers Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Ishtiaq Urmar, Shaukat Yousufzai, Kamran Bangash, Anwar Zeb, Muhammad Iqbal, and chief minister’s adviser Khaliqur Rehman and special assistant Wazir Zada.

They were directed to appear before the DMO to explain their position.

The counsels for Imran Khan, Mahmood Khan and cabinet members appeared before the DMO and submitted written replies. However, the DMO found the replies unsatisfactory and imposed the fines to be deposited by Sept 18 (today).

By-polls are to be held in four NA constituencies in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan and Kurram on Oct 16. The PTI chairman is a candidate for all these constituencies.

According to the ECP, the election code mandates that state machinery cannot be used for any political activity in an area where elections are being held. Besides, public office holders cannot attend political rallies.

Earlier, the ECP had issued notices to the KP governor, chief minister and cabinet members before the Peshawar rally, asking them not to violate the code of conduct.

The ECP also served a notice on Peshawar Development Authority director general after videos of using official vehicles to affix PTI flags went viral.

The DG later appeared before the DMO, saying he was unaware of the use of state machinery for a political rally and had suspended three employees besides ordering an inquiry.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2022