The Election Commission of Pakistan has served notices on three public office holders over alleged breaches of the election code of conduct in the NA-77 by-election in Gujranwala, as polling was under way on Sunday.
Notices were issued to Punjab Assembly member Qudsia Batool, National Assembly member Saira Afzal Tarar and Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture Shazia Rizwan after reports on social media that the three had visited polling stations within NA-77. The provincial election commissioner’s office said the three officials had been directed to appear at the Election Complex in Gujranwala at 3pm today to explain their position.
The commission had already taken notice on Saturday of an alleged violation by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar during campaigning in the same constituency. According to the commission, the minister visited NA-77 by helicopter and addressed a campaign event for PML-N candidate Rashid Basheer Virk.
The code of conduct bars public office holders, including federal ministers, from taking part in campaign activities. The commission has sought a report from the district monitoring officer and the district returning officer, directed the minister to appear before it in person, and said the result of the constituency could be withheld until a final decision is reached.
The seat fell vacant after the death of five-time National Assembly member Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk on 11 September after a prolonged illness. His son Rashid is among the candidates contesting the seat, and 18 other candidates have also filed nomination papers. The PTI, PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami have chosen not to contest the by-election.
Polling in NA-77 and in PP-203 in the Sahiwal region is being held today from 8am to 5pm. The PP-203 seat fell vacant after the death of PML-N member Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt, who died of a cardiac arrest on 17 September.
The notices relate to alleged violations only. No finding of guilt has been made against any of the office holders named, and no result has been withheld. The commission’s inquiries, and the explanation sought from the three officials this afternoon, will determine what happens next.
