Punjab By-Polls: Minister and SAPM Served Notices for Violating Election Code

In a significant development ahead of the Punjab by-polls, scheduled for November 23, show-cause notices have been issued to Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Huzaifa Rehman for allegedly violating the code of conduct under the Election Act 2017.

The notices were served by the Punjab Election Commissioner Sharifullah, who directed the federal minister and the SAPM to submit their explanations by November 21. This move aims to ensure that the upcoming by-polls are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner.

• Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and SAPM Huzaifa Rehman have been served show-cause notices for violating the election code of conduct.
• The notices were issued by the Punjab Election Commissioner Sharifullah.
• The federal minister and the SAPM have been directed to submit their explanations by November 21.

Punjab Election Commissioner’s Warning

Punjab Election Commissioner Sharifullah warned that swift action will be taken against any code violations to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. The commissioner emphasized that no minister or advisor is allowed to run an election campaign, as per the Election Act 2017.

Alleged Violations by Leghari and Rehman

According to the Dera Ghazi Khan district monitoring officer, Leghari reportedly participated in the election campaign of PML-N candidate Mahmood Leghari in the NA-185 constituency, breaching official instructions. The monitoring officer alleged that Leghari’s participation in the campaign as a federal minister was a clear violation of the election code of conduct.

Consequences of Violating the Election Code

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has cautioned that candidates who continue engaging in political activities after the deadline will face legal consequences, including imprisonment for a maximum of two years, a fine of up to Rs100,000, or both. The ECP has also fined State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry Rs50,000 for breaching the ECP’s code of conduct.

Upcoming By-Polls in Punjab

By-elections in six national and seven provincial assembly seats in Punjab are scheduled for November 23. The ECP has completed arrangements to hold the by-elections, and the election campaigns will officially conclude at midnight on November 21. For the latest updates on the Punjab by-polls, visit Watan News.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the show-cause notices served to Minister Leghari and SAPM Rehman demonstrate the ECP’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in Punjab. The commission’s swift action against code violations will help maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

FAQs

Q1: What led to the show-cause notices being served to Minister Leghari and SAPM Rehman?
A1: The show-cause notices were served due to alleged violations of the election code of conduct by Minister Leghari and SAPM Rehman, as reported by the district monitoring officers.

Q2: What are the consequences of violating the election code of conduct?
A2: The consequences of violating the election code of conduct include imprisonment for a maximum of two years, a fine of up to Rs100,000, or both, as per the Election Act 2017.

Q3: What is the significance of the Punjab by-polls scheduled for November 23?
A3: The Punjab by-polls are significant as they will fill vacant seats in the national and provincial assemblies, and the outcome will have implications for the political landscape of Punjab.

Q4: Who is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Punjab?
A4: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Punjab, and the Punjab Election Commissioner Sharifullah is overseeing the efforts to conduct free and fair elections.

Q5: What is the deadline for the election campaigns to conclude?
A5: The election campaigns will officially conclude at midnight on November 21, and candidates who continue engaging in political activities after this deadline will face legal consequences.