JI moves court against mayor contesting by-polls

The Jamaat-e-Islami has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, seeking to prevent Mayor Murtaza Wahab from taking part in the by-elections.

In the petition, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Deputy Ameer Raja Arif Sultan has argued that the by-elections should be postponed until the constitutional petition is resolved. This move is based on the principle that the mayor's participation in the by-elections violates the Election Act's Code of Conduct. Furthermore, Wahab's involvement in the by-election is also seen as a breach of the code of conduct outlined in the Local Government Act.

The petitioner reminded that the ECP has framed the code of conduct for Local Government Elections as per Constitutional provisions.

According to the Clause 16(B) of code of conduct issued by ECP, persons holding public office, including mayors, chairmen and their deputies, are prohibited from engaging in any political activities or election campaigns in any constituency.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2023.