Alleged violation of code of conduct: CEC comes down hard on Tarar for failing to appear before ECP
ISLAMABAD: In what appears to be an unusual move, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, Thursday, came down hard on the ruling side after Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar failed to appear before the electoral body in a case regarding the alleged violation of electoral code of conduct related to a recently held by-election on a National Assembly seat, warning that failure to honour the poll entity’s directives could result in “potentially grim consequences.”
He also warned a female lawmaker that she could lose her legislative seat over “non-serious” attitude during the proceedings.
The developments took place during the hearing of a case regarding the violation of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP’s) code of conduct on part of the Information Minister regarding NA-77 Gujranwala by-election that was held earlier on Sunday.
During the proceedings, the CEC, who headed the relevant three-member bench, asked the defence side regarding the absence of the Information Minister.
Defence lawyer Sajeel Swati replied that the Information Minister was on a foreign visit due to which he could not appear before the ECP bench.
“What would he get from that visit other than getting media coverage,” the CEC remarked. “Non-compliance with the Election Commission’s directions can attract potentially grim consequences,” he said.
Special Secretary ECP (Law) Muhammad Arshad informed the bench that Tarar landed in a helicopter in an area in Gujranwala that fell in the NA-77 constituency, ahead of the by-election. This move, he said, constituted the violation of the ECP’s code of conduct that bars the government functionaries from visiting any electoral constituency where an election is announced and the related programme is notified by the ECP.
Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala Naveed Ahmad stated before the bench that the Information Minister landed in a cantonment area, which, he said, did not fall under the administrative purview of the ECP.
The DC received an instant rebuff from the CEC. “Go and read the law,” the CEC told the DC.
At one point during the proceedings, Punjab’s Parliamentary Secretary Health Asma Naz Abbasi was found smiling, which, again, attracted the CEC’s fury.
“This kind of non-serious attitude can cost you your legislative seat—you can end up facing contempt proceedings,” he warned her.
The CEC also mentioned what he described as the non-serious attitude of the federal government in holding the local government elections in the federal capital.
Referring to a statement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in which the Premier said that the government school teachers would not be assigned the election duties, the CEC asked, “In such a situation, where would the Election Commission get the electoral staff from?”
The ECP bench directed the electoral officials assigned to NA-77 by-election to submit a written reply regarding the fact-finding report into code of conduct violation.
The bench also summoned City Police Officer (CPO) Gujranwala Sardar Ghias Gul in the next hearing. It directed that the respondents, including the Information Minister, ensure in-person attendance at the next hearing scheduled on December 1.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026