Islamabad, March 23: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for addressing a rally in Swat on March 16 in violation of the election code of conduct issued for the local government election in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Express Tribune reported on Wednesday. The reason for the ECP move was because Imran Khan had addressed a gathering in the Swat valley despite being barred by the ECP on March 15 from visiting the region.
According to the new ECP code of conduct, no person holding a public office can visit the districts where elections are/about to being/be held. The second phase of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government elections is scheduled for March 31. Earlier, too Imran Khan had been fined Rs 50,000 by the Lower Dir District Monitoring Officer Hameedullah for violating the electoral code of conduct. The ECP had twice issued notices to PM Imran for violating the code of conduct. The last notice sent to Imran Khan was on March 21 for addressing a political rally in K-P’s Malakand, which had directed him to appear before the Malakand DMO on March 22 at 10am.
According to the notice, “The premier had addressed the rally as part of the PTI’s election campaign and had used state resources.” Imran Khan and Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar had filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court against the notices in which they had said that “The notices have been issued despite new legislation regarding the election campaign.” But the IHC had refused to restrain the ECP from proceeding against the prime minister, saying that the commission had a mandate to devise a code of conduct for transparent elections. The ECP has banned PM Imran from attending meetings during the second phase of K-P LG elections. UNI
