G-B polls: CEC vows to enforce code of conduct | The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD:

ISLAMABAD

Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan on Sunday said that strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct is underway, warning that candidates may face disqualification over violations as political activities intensify ahead of the June 7 elections in the region.

Meanwhile, 6,000 Punjab police personnel are being deployed in G-B ahead of the election, it emerged on Sunday.

Punjab authorities had initially approved the deployment of 5,000 personnel to the region and later gave approval for the deployment of 1,000 more police personnel.

Speaking at a news conference, the election commissioner said all political parties were violating the code of conduct, which has been clearly defined under the Election Act. He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders had not obtained the required no-objection certificates (NOCs) and had attempted to spread “provocative content”.

PTI leaders Asad Qaiser and Junaid Akbar have accused the authorities of obstructing their election activities and restricting movement into the region.

On Friday, Qaiser said he was prevented from reaching Islamabad airport and missed his flight to Skardu for campaign activities. Separately, Akbar was detained by G-B police in Hunza while campaigning, for not possessing an NOC.

“Cases will also be registered under the Code of Criminal Procedure for obstructing the electoral process,” he said, dismissing Junaid Akbar’s accusations, saying that police had arrested no PTI member.

He warned that social media was being used to “make the election controversial” ahead of polling. “Enough is enough – I will now disqualify candidates for violations of the Code of Conduct,” the Chief Election Commissioner said.

Khan said the Election Commission was fully monitoring the electoral process and that police from other provinces would also be deployed for election security. He confirmed that the prime minister had obtained an NOC before his visit to G-B, and said federal ministers who travelled had also been issued NOCs.

The election commissioner added that the prime minister and federal ministers were required to refrain from political activities before obtaining permission. “Action will be taken against anyone attempting to tarnish or cast doubt on the elections,” he said. Following the accusations levied by Qaiser and Akbar, K-P CM Sohail Afridi wrote to the chief justice of the Supreme Appellate Court of G-B, seeking immediate judicial intervention into the matter. He also warned that he would personally travel to G-B if the detained parliamentarians were not released soon.

The commissioner, addressing the chief minister’s letter, said CM Afridi’s letter to the Chief Justice of G-B was inappropriate and had no legal standing. CM Afridi, he said, had attempted to influence the electoral process.