Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was served a show-cause notice by the Chakwal District Election Commissioner on Monday for allegedly violating the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct by campaigning in the district on April 2 ahead of upcoming by-polls.

“He must submit an explanation in the matter by April 6,” the notice said. The notice further explained that the ECP had already issued a code of conduct to all parties participating in the by-election in PP-23 Chakwal-IV, scheduled for April 18.

It stated that the contents of the code of conduct should be considered as directives of the ECP and action would be taken under Article 204 of the Constitution and Section 103-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1976, if any of its clauses were violated.

“As per the directive of the ECP, the members of national and provincial assembly or any other person on their behalf shall not visit the constituency or a polling station after the issuance of schedule of by-election till the completion of polls,” the statement said.

Addressing Imran Khan, it added: “You have violated the clause (vi) of the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan dated March 3, 2017, by undertaking the visit and addressing the general public at Tarhada of Tehsil Lawa District Chakwal on April 2, 2017, with regard to election campaign.”

Earlier, the ECP in a statement had said that PTI was not eligible to be issued an election symbol in the upcoming general elections as it has failed to hold intra-party elections.