ECP slaps Rs50,000 fine on Gandapur

Minister violated LB poll code of conduct by hurling threats to opp during speech at rally

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday slapped a fine of Rs50,000 on Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur for violating the code of conduct for the local body elections.

Gandapur while addressing a rally during the election campaign of his brother Umar Amin Gandapur, who is a candidate for Dera Ismail Khan mayor’s slot, had threatened the opposition with dire consequences.

He had said that he had the authority to give funds and schemes. He had said that if the rival candidate won, he won’t be allowed to enter the ministry of local government.

Gandapur had reportedly said his brother, Faisal Amin Khan, was the LG minister. “Today, I’m telling you (opponents) that Dera city is not for you.”

DI Khan district monitoring officer Ijaz Ahmed had said legal action would be taken against Gandapur for his remarks during the public meeting.

The DMO had directed the federal minister to appear before him on Monday, but he could not show up and sought a two-day respite due to his busy schedule.

On Thursday, the commission directed the federal minister to submit the fine in the national treasury by Friday (today).

The commission also warned Gandapur to be aware of violating the election code in the future otherwise it held the right to suspend his membership.

Earlier, the ECP barred Prime Minister Imran Khan from visiting Peshawar.

According to a letter penned by the regional election commissioner, the PM was asked not to visit Peshawar ahead of the scheduled local bodies elections in K-P on December 19.

If the premier visits Peshawar on December 19 during the LB polls, it would be considered as a violation of the code of conduct, the ECP added. “The president, PM and governors cannot visit the area after the announcement of the election schedule”.

Different political parties have started campaigning for the LB polls in 17 districts of K-P.

As polling day approaches, election campaigning in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Khyber, Mohmand, Mardan, Swabi, Kohta, Karak, Handi, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Tank, Haripur, Buner and Bajaur districts are in full gear.