The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reserved on Wednesday its verdict on the alleged violation of the code of conduct by PTI chief Imran Khan and provincial minister Mohammad Iqbal Wazir during the campaign for a by-poll in Kurram\u2019s NA-45 constituency.
\nThe NA-45 seat was among several rendered vacant after PTI lawmakers had resigned en masse from the National Assembly (NA) following Imran\u2019s ouster as the prime minister through a no-confidence vote in April. Imran had won the by-poll held in the constituency last month, trouncing his Pakistan Dem\u00ado\u00adcratic Movement-backed rival and other candidates.
\nThe victory, however, had come merely days after the district monitoring officer (DMO) of Kurram had issued a notice to the PTI chief over the alleged poll code violation while campaigning for the election.
\n\u201cIt has come into the notice of the undersigned (DMO) that you, Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, contesting candidate NA-45 Kurram-I, have solicited and utilised the services\/assistance from a public office holder namely Mohammad Iqbal Wazir, the minister for relief, rehabilitation and settlement, during the ongoing campaign activities and electioneering process which is tantamount to violation of para-8 of the code of conduct published by ECP,\u201d the notice said.
\nWhen the matter was taken up by the ECP today, the electoral watchdog\u2019s special secretary said government vehicles were used while campaigning.
\n\u201cHow are they denying the use of government resources?\u201d he posed a rhetorical question, alleging that Imran had violated the election code of conduct previously as well.
\nThe special secretary called for strict action against Wazir, accusing him of attempting to provoke anger among the public.
\nMoreover, he continued, Wazir\u2019s \u201ctweets have affected the election commission\u2019s reputation.\u201d The official, however, did not elaborate on the contents of the tweets he was referring to.
\nFor his part, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja remarked, \u201cHe (Wazir) may not realise, but he said he was ready to sacrifice his ministry.\u201d
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