PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has barred the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman from holding a public rally in Dera Ismail Khan. The ECP has also imposed a fine of Rs50, 000 on the JUIF’s candidate for mayor’s seat for violating the election code of conduct.
The Deputy Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan has rejected the permission for the rally, saying that the LG election are scheduled on 13 February, thus, the administration cannot grant permission for such a rally under the rules and regulations provided by the Election Commission for free and fair elections.
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The JUI-F was to hold a rally and public gathering in DI Khan today and Monday, where the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was scheduled to participate. On the other hand, the Election Commission had issued a notice to JUI-F candidate for mayor, Kafil Nizami, who had invited Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s brother Zia-ur-Rehman to the district. He was directed to appear before the District election officer on 5 February.
The Election Commission also issued notices to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s brother and government official Zia-ur-Rehman for violating election code of conduct.
Yesterday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered the expulsion of Federal Minister Ali Amin Gandapur from the Dera Ismail Khan district for violating the polls code of conduct till election on 13 February. The notification said that despite repeated notices, Gandapur was campaigning for his brother on the city mayoral seat. The ECP has also ordered the police for the arrest of Pakistan Peoples Party member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly Ahmed Karim Kundi over the Election code violations and produce him before the ECP on 4 February.
Meanwhile, the ECP has sought the Pakistan Army’s services for by-local government election in Lakki Marwat on 13 February. The election was postponed in these constituencies due to deteriorated law and order situation on 18 December, last year.