ECP seeks K-P CM, others reply in ‘code of conduct violation’ case

Hearing has been adjourned till December 23

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought a reply from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in a case pertaining violation of code of conduct against him and other provincial ministers.

A two-member bench heard the case on Friday during which counsels for the CM and his cabinet members appeared before the election commission.

During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner said local body elections are to be held on December 19 throughout K-P.

Notices were also issued by the ECP to Kamran Bangash and Shaukat Yousafzai who was not present at the meeting.

During the hearing, the defense counsel maintained that no minister, including the chief minister, violated the ECP's code of conduct.

On the other hand, the petitioner's counsel argued that violations of the code of conduct were still ongoing. Provincial election commission member Nisar Durrani remarked that instructions to implement the code of conduct have already been issued to all. “If the political parties have made a code of conduct, then they are bound to follow it,” he said.

Seeking a reply from the provincial chief executive and provincial ministers, the ECP has summoned them in the next hearing on December 23 later this month.