PESHAWAR: Because of the election rules violations, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) considers postponing the Local Government (LG) election in the remaining 18 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The election body said that due to lack of cooperation by the government and violations of the election code of conduct by the ruling party, it is unable to assured equal playing field.
The ECP sources stated that the final decision in this regard would be taken by the Chief Election Commissioner. The ECP said, “The code of conduct is being violated, the state machinery is unable to enforce the election rules and the district administration is not offering cooperation to ECP to conduct free and fair elections.” The LG election is scheduled in 18 districts of the province on 31 March.
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According to Election Commission sources, the level playing field has been disturbed so it is likely that the LG elections will be postponed. The ECP has issued several notices to Prime Minister and Chief Minister to stop violations of election code of conduct however; they have not paid heed to its notices. The commission has also imposed a fine of Rs50, 000 on prime minister.
Yesterday, the ECP served another notice to PM for his election rally in Dargai, Malakand despite the ban of the commission. The ECP has also serviced notice to KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and three federal ministers. The ECP said that after issuing the election schedule, the public office bearers cannot hold public rallies by using state machinery. The ECP said that the purpose of the rules is to provide equal playing field to all candidates.
The Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Aimal Wali Khan strongly criticised Prime Minister for his repeated breach polls’ rules violations. In a statement, he said that the despite the notices of election commission of Pakistan, the prime minister is holding rallies in areas where election is scheduled on 31 March. The ANP leader condemned the PTI chief for breaching the law and using state machinery and resources for the party election campaign. He urged the ECP to take strict action against the prime minister as he already violated several notices of the commission.