Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in a letter to the chief election commissioner, has raised objections over the code of conduct devised for NA-120 by-poll.
In its notification, issued for the NA-120 by-election, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has barred national and provincial assembly members from visiting the constituency for campaigning.
In a TV interview, Qureshi said, “We have raised an objection on paragraph five and six of the notification because, as a member of opposition, I don’t have any resources or authority to promise anything to the constituents,” adding that I don’t have any influence on the government whereas the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) nominee will have direct or indirect access to state resources.
He demanded the ECP to expunge the following words of notification, “Barring the entry of national/provincial assembly members from visiting the constituency.” We have presented our objections to the ECP as our candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid wants me to participate in her campaign.
He said that the ECP notification will bar the entire central leadership of the party, including party chief Imran Khan, to visit the constituency, whereas, on the other hand, PML-N leaders including Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz will be free to mobilise support in the constituency as both are not members of any assembly. Qureshi said that it had become necessary for the party to contact the ECP.
