PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) barred Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Mahmood Khan from holding rally in Kurram where local government election is scheduled on 31 March.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and chief minister is scheduled to address a political rally in Kurram on March 18. District Returning Officer (DRO) Karam Khushalzada issued notices to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister through their principal secretaries. A few days ago, the Prime Minister was also prevented from attending the meeting in Lower Dir but PM has ignored the notification and participated in the rally.
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After their participation in the rally, the Election Commission had to issue a notice to PM Khan and Chief Minister but so far no action has been taken to ensure the election code of conduct and provide level playing field to every party. Besides PM Khan, the ECP has also put the Governor Shah Farman, Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, Provincial Minister Anwar Zeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Malik Shafiullah and Member Provincial on notice over the election code of conduct violation.
The ECP notification said that despite the ban, PM Imran Khan, chief minister and other public office holders staged political rally in lower Dir by using state machinery and resources days ahead of local government elections.
According to ECP, under the election rules and regulations, no development scheme could be announced after the announcement of the election schedule. The notice said that despite election body direction, the prime minister ignored the instructions of the Election Commission and visited Lower Dir, held a political rally by using government machinery. The Prime Minister was told that there is compelling evidence to prove that you have violated the rules of the Election Act 2017.