Daily Times

LODHRAN: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan that he must refrain from participating in a rally that would be conducted as a part of party’s pre-election campaign for NA-154 by-poll.

The District Returning Officer wrote a letter to the PTI chief asking him not to attend today’s rally in Lodhran as it is in violation of the law. He cited a clause in the ECP’s code of conduct that bars lawmakers and government ministers to visit the constituencies after the issuance of schedule of a by-poll.

“ECP expects political parties, their leadership and candidates to comply with the code of conduct to increase public support for fair and transparent elections,” the letter stated.

It advised Imran to abide by the code of conduct in letter and spirit.

However, Imran and other party leaders are already present at the venue on Multan-Bahawalpur Road where party supporters have already begun to gather.

NA-154 Lodhran’s seat fell vacant after the Supreme Court (SC) disqualified PTI’s Secretary General Jehangir Khan Tareen as the member of the National Assembly under article 62-1 (f).

Now, Ali Tareen, son of Jehangir Tareen, will be contesting the by-poll scheduled to be held on February 12 on PTI’s ticket.