ECP accuses the government of influencing polls
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In response to alleged interference by interim ministers in matters related to Pakistan's upcoming general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed the issuance of a notice to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, as reported by The News on Friday.
A five-member ECP panel, led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, convened to address this issue on Thursday. During the session, the additional advocate general (AAG) mentioned that the electoral authority had not previously issued any notice regarding the case.
As a result, the commission instructed the issuance of a notice to the caretaker prime minister and adjourned the case's hearing until the following Tuesday. Furthermore, the ECP designated the symbol "Eagle" to the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), which was formerly associated with the now-dissolved All Pakistan Muslim League (APM-L), a political party established by the late President Pervez Musharraf.
A three-member ECP bench, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and including ECP members Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Justice (R) Ikram Ullah Khan, issued this decision after hearing the case on October 23. Additionally, the electoral body issued an order regarding the enforcement of the code of conduct for a by-election in NA-24, Charsadda-II, last year.
The order involved PTI Chairman Imran Khan and the then Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mehmood Khan. A three-member bench, led by Nisar Ahmed Durrani, acknowledged the clarity of the code of conduct, emphasizing that the Chief Minister could not partake in an election campaign for a specific candidate or utilize state resources.
However, the bench accepted the plea presented by the respondents' counsel and withdrew the notice issued to them on September 19, 2022.
