ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has informed all candidates and political parties participating in the 2024 general elections that there will be no poll campaign allowed after midnight on February 6.
According to Section 182 of the Elections Act 2017, engaging in public meetings, processions, corner meetings, or any political activity is prohibited after 12 midnight on February 6, 2024, and February 7, 2024.
The ECP spokesperson warned of legal action against anyone violating this provision. The polling is scheduled for February 8.
Caretaker Federal Minister for Communications Maritime Affairs and Railways, Shahid Ashraf Tarar, who leads the committee overseeing preparations for the general elections, met with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja to discuss the readiness of federal and provincial governments for the elections.
In another development, the ECP canceled notifications issued by returning officers (ROs) postponing polls in NA-83 and NA-85 (Sargodha) after discovering that a candidate who had reportedly died on January 15 had actually passed away on January 2.
The ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the matter and decided to conduct elections in these constituencies as scheduled.
PMLN candidate Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti claimed forgery in the matter, stating that an investigation revealed the candidate’s death occurred on January 2, not January 15.
Additionally, the ECP addressed an incident of hooliganism by Mumtaz Mustafa, a candidate of NA-171, Rahim Yar Khan, in violation of the Elections Act 2017 and the code of conduct, scheduling a hearing for January 23.
The ECP also took notice of aerial firing by Grand Democratic Alliance’s candidate Irfanullah Marwat, directing the Inspector General Police, Sindh, to take action and submit a report.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
