ECP reserves verdict in case against KP CM Sohail Afridi

Islamabad (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday reserved its judgment in the case against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi, who is accused of violating the election code of conduct.

 

A five-member bench of the Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the matter. Chief Minister Afridi appeared in person along with his counsel, Ali Bukhari, to respond to the allegations, which include threatening ECP staff deployed during the by-elections in NA-18, Haripur.

 

Ali Bukhari, counsel for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, challenged whether speeches delivered outside a constituency could be deemed pre-poll rigging.

 

Ali Bukhari, noted that two to three petitions concerning NA-18 were already pending and proposed they be consolidated. The special secretary law, however, maintained that the current case must be dealt with independently.

 

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s counsel argued that he had already appeared before the district monitoring officer in the same case and was summoned again by the Election Commission on Tuesday, but complained that the commission was not allowing sufficient time for defense.

 

The Chief Election Commissioner assured the counsel that adequate time would be provided.

 

Meanwhile, Bukhri maintained that the chief minister had never visited Haripur, yet the returning officer there issued a notice alleging Afridi had delivered a speech in Havelian.

 

Bukhari petitioned the Election Commission against the Punjab chief minister, alleging violation over announcing development projects in Hassan Abdal near NA-18. The Chief Election Commissioner stated the plea would be received and examined separately.

 

The lawyer representing the PML-N candidate asserted that the Election Commission of Pakistan holds full authority under Article 218(3) of the Constitution and pressed for stern action against Afridi over the alleged violation.

 

ECP officials acknowledged that multiple applications have been submitted against the KP Chief Minister, intensifying pressure on the Commission to take decisive measures.