K-P CM Afridi directs probe into NA-18 Haripur by-poll

'We are confident that employees, officials under the provincial government were not involved in rigging'

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has ordered an inquiry into the NA-18 Haripur by-election, the K-P Special Assistant on Information and Public relations Shafi Jan said on Sunday.

Jan stated that the inquiry, which covers all officials from class four staff to the deputy commissioner, has been authorised by the chief minister to ensure transparency. Any officer found involved in malpractice will face strict disciplinary action.

“We are confident that employees and officials under the provincial government were not involved in rigging. Nevertheless, the inquiry is being conducted to maintain transparency,” he said.

The inquiry will include sworn statements from presiding officers, which are being formally recorded. Jan added that a reference regarding alleged election irregularities is also being sent to the Election Commission.

The constituency encompasses the complete Haripur district, comprising the tehsils of Haripur, Ghazi, and Khanpur. Based on registered voters, it stands as the largest National Assembly constituency in K-P and ranks as the third largest in Pakistan.

The seat became vacant following the disqualification of MNA Omar Ayub Khan from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, who also served as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. In August, the anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad convicted him in a case concerning the violent protests of May 9, 2023, resulting in his disqualification as MNA.

The main contest was to be between Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, the wife of the disqualified Omar Ayub, and PML-N candidate Babar Nawaz. Babar Nawaz Khan was able to secure a clear lead and was announced the winner in the by-polls.

Read: By-polls a 'one-sided' affair, say analysts

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held a commanding lead in the by-elections, winning most of the contested national and provincial assembly seats in Punjab.

By-polls

The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has released its report on the by-elections held on November 23, revealing a mixed picture of electoral conduct marked by improved arrangements alongside procedural lapses and low voter participation.

FAFEN deployed 122 observers who monitored 373 polling stations across constituencies. While the report acknowledged that elections were conducted with overall better arrangements, it flagged election campaign violations and gaps in result transparency.

Voter turnout remained extremely low across the board. The overall turnout stood at merely 23 per cent, with most constituencies recording less than 50 per cent participation. Only one constituency managed to cross the 50 per cent turnout threshold.

Read more: Dismal 23% voter turnout mars Nov 23 by-election

FAFEN observers were prevented from entering two polling stations during counting. Form 45, which contains official results, was not provided to polling agents at six stations and was withheld from observers at 13 stations. Several polling stations also failed to provide Form 46 to polling agents and election observers. At 43 per cent of polling stations, signatures were not obtained from agents on the result form.

Former caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Hasan Askari said that the PML-N was in a shadow-boxing match, and that too all by itself, adding that the party was technically up against no real opponent at all.

"This was not a proof of popular support. Conversely, the low turnout is a vote of no confidence against this process," he said.