Shafaqna Pakistan: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said on Sunday that strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct is currently underway, warning that candidates could face disqualification for violations as political activity intensifies ahead of the June 7 elections.
Addressing a press conference, the election commissioner stated that all political parties are reportedly violating the code of conduct, which is clearly outlined under the Election Act. He further alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have not obtained the required no-objection certificates (NOCs) and have attempted to circulate “provocative content.”
PTI leaders Asad Qaiser and Junaid Akbar, however, have accused the authorities of obstructing their election campaign activities and restricting their movement into the region.
Earlier on Friday, Asad Qaiser claimed he was stopped from reaching Islamabad airport and subsequently missed his flight to Skardu for campaign-related activities. In a separate incident, Junaid Akbar was detained by Gilgit-Baltistan police in Hunza during campaigning for allegedly not possessing an NOC.
“Cases will also be registered under the Code of Criminal Procedure for obstructing the electoral process,” he said, dismissing Junaid Akbar’s accusations, saying that police had arrested no PTI member.
He warned that social media was being used to “make the election controversial” ahead of polling. “Enough is enough — I will now disqualify candidates for violations of the Code of Conduct,” the Chief Election Commissioner said.
Khan said the Election Commission was fully monitoring the electoral process and that police from other provinces would also be deployed for election security. He confirmed that the prime minister had obtained an NOC before his visit to G-B, and said federal ministers who travelled had also been issued NOCs.
The election commissioner added that the prime minister and federal ministers were required to refrain from political activities before obtaining permission. “Action will be taken against anyone attempting to tarnish or cast doubt on the elections,” he said.
Following the accusations levied by Qaiser and Akbar, K-P CM Sohail Afridi wrote to the chief justice of the Supreme Appellate Court of G-B, seeking immediate judicial intervention into the matter. He also warned that he would personally travel to G-B if the detained parliamentarians were not released soon.
The commissioner, addressing the chief minister’s letter, said CM Afridi’s letter to the Chief Justice of G-B was inappropriate and had no legal standing. CM Afridi, he said, had attempted to influence the electoral process.
Khan stressed that it was wrong to create unrest among the people of K-P and G-B. “We are all united under one flag,” he said. He also reiterated that under the Election Act, federal ministers, chief ministers, and governors are not allowed to participate in election campaigns.
The G-B Assembly elections are due to take place on June 7, with political parties making a final push to mobilise voters across the region before campaigning officially ends later this week.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was due to arrive in Skardu on Sunday to formally launch his party’s election campaign in G-B. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has also intensified its campaign activities, with senior party leaders scheduled to address public meetings at several locations across G-B.
Source: Express Tribune
