ECP summons KP chief minister over ‘threatening’ remarks ahead of Haripur by-election

Taking notice of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s “irresponsible” and “threatening” comments pertaining to the upcoming by-election on NA-18 seat, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned CM Afridi on Friday.

Addressing a public gathering in Abbottabad’s Havelian, the chief minister had warned the government officials to refrain from trying to manipulate or change the result of the Haripur by-election slated for November 23.

The ECP in a press release said Afridi had threatened staff of local administration, police and election body and also incited people present on this occasion.

ECP announces NA-18 Haripur by-election schedule

“The provincial chief executive’s irresponsible conduct has not only complicated holding a peaceful by-election in NA-18 Haripur, but has also endangered the lives of the district administration, police, election staff, and voters,” the ECP said.

The electoral watchdog has issued notices to Chief Minister Afridi and Shehrnaz Omar Ayub — the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub — for violating the Elections Act 2017 and the Code of Conduct, summoning both of them on Friday.

Shehrnaz is contesting the NA-18 seat that fell vacant in August following disqualification of her husband for convictions in cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots.

The ECP added that it had directed the provincial election commissioner to urgently meet KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and the provincial police chief to “put in place the necessary precautionary arrangements,” after which a detailed report must be submitted to the commission.

The ECP has also decided to write to the Ministry of Interior, demanding fool-proof security arrangements with the help of federal security agencies in the constituency, to ensure the protection of district returning officers, returning officers, other staff, voters as well as movement of election material from polling stations to presiding officers and after election to the RO office.

The electoral body warned of strict action if anybody or public office holder tried to interfere in peaceful holding of election.