ECP seeks explanation from CM's aide

Jan had blamed election supervisor for electoral irregularities in Haripur

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday directed Special Assistant to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Shafiullah Jan to furnish a written explanation within seven days over allegations leveled against the electoral body in connection with the Haripur by-election.

During a news conference on December 19, Jan blamed the election supervisor for electoral irregularities, and claimed Form 47 was issued from Islamabad instead of the returning officer's office.

"This was a singular yet bizarre event in the country's history, when a Form-47 was issued from Islamabad," adding that "ECP didn't upload all Form-45s from 602 polling stations in the constituency, nor could the PML-N produce all Form-45s from 602 polling stations."

The notice termed Jan's allegations against the election supervisor in the Haripur by-election as "false and misleading", directing him to submit an explanation. It further warned that he must furnish verified evidence, failing which legal action would be initiated.

The notice said Shafiullah Jan alleged that Form-47 had been issued from Islamabad and Form-45 was not uploaded. The polls supervisory body, however, reviewed the matter and found no evidence to substantiate the claims.

The notice observed that Jan's remarks appeared aimed at maligning the ECP, noting that unverified statements only serve to create unnecessary confusion.

The notice warned that such remarks erode public confidence in the electoral process. It added that, unless substantiated with evidence, the allegations would be deemed baseless and the polls supervisory body would proceed under the law.

In November, by-elections were held for six national and seven provincial assembly seats, in which PML-N bagged almost all the seats except one. However, the opposition party PTI alleged rigging and rejected the results.

For the NA-18 (Haripur) seat, PTI-backed independent candidate Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, wife of former opposition leader Omar Ayub, lost to PML-N's Babar Nawaz.

The seat was vacated by Omar Ayub Khan after he was disqualified by ECP over convictions in various cases.

The Free and Fair Election Network, an electoral monitoring body, also stated that by-elections were marred by "recurring violations" of campaigning restrictions and "gaps" in results transparency.