PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has served a show-cause notice on an independent candidate for the NA-4 Peshawar by-poll for supporting “proscribed organisation” Milli Muslim League (MML), an offshoot of the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD).
Haji Liaquat Ali Khan was issued notice on Friday for displaying support for another party which is prohibited under the electoral code of conduct. He has also been questioned why his banners exceeded the size approved by the polls supervisory body.
“You [the candidate] are advised through the notice to submit a written reply to the ECP in connection with your adherence to the code of conduct notified by the ECP, failing which strict action will be taken under the law,” read the show-cause notice issued by Returning Officer Muhammad Ishaq Khan.
The written reply, the notice read, should be submitted to the ECP within three days of the issuance of the show-cause notice.
The by-poll in the constituency will be held on October 26. The seat fell vacant after the death of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Gulzar Khan.
Twenty-five candidates have filed their nomination papers for the by-election. A tough contest is expected between the PTI, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Awami National Party.
