The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan’s plans to address a rally in Taxila on September 23, ahead of the by-election for the PP-7 provincial assembly seat.
On the directives of ECP, a Returning Officer of the constituency has issued a notice to Imran Khan asking him not to address the rally in order to abide by electoral laws and the code of conduct.
Reports say the action was taken on the basis of a complaint, filed by a contesting candidate, as well as ECP’s own information about the planned show.
The PTI has planned to organise election rally of PTI candidate Ammar Siddiqui in Taxila on Sept 23 and had announced that it would be addressed by party chief Imran Khan. The by-elections in the constituency are scheduled to take place on Sept 26.
The electoral code of conduct bars the prime minister, chief minister, federal ministers, state ministers, advisors to the president and prime minister, provincial ministers, advisors to the chief minister and members of the national and provincial assemblies from visiting a constituency or a polling station after the issuance of the schedule of by-elections, until polling is completed.