Free electricity scheme: ECP issues notice to CM Hamza for violating electoral code of conduct

Islamabad: Punjab Chief Minister was issued notice by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday for seeking reply for his alleged violation of the electoral code of conduct while announcing free electricity for a specific group of consumers in the province ahead of the July 17 by-elections.

The ECP sought a reply from the provincial chief executive on July 7.

On Monday, the CM announced free electricity for households consuming up to 100 units, from July under “Punjab Chief Minister Roshan Gharana Programme”.

The announcement was made in the wake of a ban imposed by the ECP on initiating any development projects until the by-polls on 20 Punjab Assembly seats were out of the way.

Section 181 of the Elections Act states, “No government functionary or elected representative including a local government functionary or elected representative, shall announce any development scheme for a constituency after the announcement of the Election Programme of that constituency.”

The chief minister has been asked to submit the reply to the electoral watchdog himself or through a lawyer.

The electroal watchdog reminded the chief minister that no development scheme or project could be announced by the government or any of its officials after the issuance of the election schedule.