- ECP summons Imran for violating ‘secrecy of ballot’ code while voting
- Notices also issued to Shehbaz, Bilawal, Khawaja Asif for making speeches after casting vote
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notices to various political leaders for violating the code of conduct during the general election 2018.
The ECP took notice of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s vote in NA-53, as the PTI chief’s voting exercise was captured on video, violating the ECP’s “secrecy of ballot” code.
The ECP has summoned the PTI chief on July 30 in relation to the matter.
Former federal minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat was reportedly issued a show cause notice by district returning officer (DRO) for misbehaving with security officials.
Hayat has been asked to appear before the ECP on Thursday. However, he has denied receiving any such orders.
A complaint was also received against former president and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for barring people from voting in Badin.
The ECP directed the returning officer (RO) concerned to give a report regarding the complaint.
Moreover, the electoral body also took notice of politicians delivering speeches after casting votes in the countrywide general polls.
Taking notice of speeches made by Imran Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and former foreign minister Khawaja Asif after they cast their respective votes, ECP Spokesman Nadeem Qasim said that actions may be initiated against these politicians.
Qasim added that the vote might not be endangered, but the voter may face consequences as per the ECP’s law.
Furthermore, Awami Workers Party (AWP) Islamabad has complained that minority voters at a polling station in Islamabad’s NA-54 constituency are not being allowed to vote because the polling staff claims that it does not even have the voter lists for minorities
The ECP said that it has so far received 600 complaints from all over Pakistan regarding the ongoing elections.
