ECP summons Afridi in threat, code breach case

Commission also issues notice to Shehrnaz, adjourns hearing till Dec 16

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission conducted hearings on code of conduct violations in the recent by-elections on Wednesday, with a bench headed by the chief election commissioner.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister SohailAfridi was summoned to appear before the commission, while a notice was issued to Shehrnaz, wife of former opposition leader Omar Ayub.

CM SohailAfridi’s case: A five-member commission heard the case against the KP CM regarding allegations of threatening election staff and violating the code of conduct. Though Afridi was granted an exemption from personal appearance, his lawyers and those representing Shehrnaz Omar Ayub appeared before the commission.

Advocate General KP, Shah Faisal Utmankhel, requested an adjournment on behalf of Afridi’s lawyer Ali Bukhari, citing a family death. However, a KP member questioned, “How can you represent a person in a private capacity in an official capacity?” The member added, “This is a personal case of one person, it has no relation to the state,” to which the advocate general stated he is only requesting adjournment on behalf of Ali Bukhari.

The chief election commissioner remarked, “Advocate General, you are needed in the province. What are you doing here?” A KP member added that the chief justice of the Peshawar High Court has repeatedly noted the advocate general’s absence.

Meanwhile, Shehrnaz’s lawyer submitted a written reply, after which the commission adjourned the hearing until December 16.

Shehrnaz Omar Ayub alleges rigging: In the NA-18 electoral irregularity case, Shehrnaz Omar Ayub filed complaints regarding the non-provision of Form 47 and alleged rigging in the elections. The preliminary hearing was adjourned after her lawyer appeared before the commission.

Decision reserved on JavedAbbasi’s fine: MurtazaJavedAbbasi appeared with his lawyer to appeal the District Monitoring Officer’s (DMO’s) decision of imposing a fine of Rs40,000 for code of conduct violations. Abbasi’s lawyer requested that the fine be cancelled, arguing that his client only “mentioned the threatening statement of the K-P CM.”

The commission reserved its decision on the matter.

Muzaffargarh candidate seeks recount: Independent candidate Iqbal Khan Patafi, who secured 46,407 votes in PP-269 Muzaffargarh, appeared personally before the commission requesting a recount. PPP candidate MianAlamdar Abbas Qureshi won the by-elections in the constituency.

Patafi alleged that relatives of his opponent were assigned election duties, untrained staff were deployed, and ballot papers sent to polling stations were fewer than the number of registered voters.

“The election of PP-269 has always been controversial; statements were obtained from different forums”, Patafi told the media outside the election commission. He added that “even previously, the candidates who won resigned on my recounting request and now elections were held again.”

The hearing was adjourned by the five-member commission until December 16.

PM aide challenges Rs50,000 fine: The hearing of an appeal against a Rs50,000 fine imposed on Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Culture HuzaifaRehman, for electoral code of conduct violations in NA-185 Muzaffargarh was also held.

Rehman’s lawyer appeared before the Election Commission on his behalf, with the hearing also adjourned until December 16. Staff Report