PESHAWAR: The regional election commission, Dera Ismail Khan, has imposed Rs50, 000 fine on the federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur for violating the election code of conduct ahead of the local government elections on 19 December.
The election commission has also warned that he would be disqualified as Member of national assembly, if he was found violating the election code of conduct again. The ECP said that despite the ban, the federal minister participated in the election campaign and announced development projects to influence voters.
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According to the Election Commission, violators of the election Code of Conduct can be prosecuted under Sections 233 and 234 of the Election Act. Ali Amin Gandapur was found campaigning for his brother, Umar Amin Gandapur, who is vying for DI Khan’s mayor seat on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket.
Yesterday the commission also conduct hearing on the notice issued to KP minister for higher education Kamran Khan for polls code of conduct violation. Bangash’s lawyer Furqan Yousafzai appeared before regional election commissioner on and sought more time to submit response. After hearing the arguments, commissioner adjourned the case with the direction to submit response before 14 December.
On 8 December, despite being banned by the Regional Election Commissioner, Prime Minister reached Peshawar on a one-day visit and launched the ration card scheme at the governor house. The Regional Election Commissioner Peshawar wrote a letter to Prime Minister regarding his visit ahead of the Local government elections, asking him not to visit Peshawar as it would be violation of the election code of conduct.
A letter written by Regional Commissioner Saeed Ahmad Khan to the Prime Minister said that there are reports that you are visiting Peshawar to launch “New Pakistan Card” scheme, therefore you are advised not visit the city as it will violation the code of conduct of the Election Commission. The letter further states that legal action will be taken in violation of election code of conduct.