The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued notices summoning Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and NA-18 candidate Sheharnaz Omar Ayub on Nov. 21 (Friday) over alleged violations to the Elections Act, 2017 and the Code of Conduct.
In a statement, the electoral body said it had taken notice of remarks conveyed by Afridi at a rally in Havelian a day earlier. Addressing the public gathering, the chief minister had appeared to threaten the district administration, police, and election staff deployed for the election, warning that they would not “survive the night” if anything happened during the polling process. The ECP noted that the remarks had sought to incite the public present at the rally, as well as the general public. Further, it said, a “fugitive criminal”—former opposition leader Omar Ayub—whose wife is participating in the election was standing with Afridi on stage.
“Due to this irresponsible and provocative behavior of the province’s chief executive, not only has it become difficult to conduct peaceful by-elections in NA-18 (Haripur), but the lives of the district administration, police, election duty personnel, and voters are also at risk,” read the statement. It said it had directed the provincial Election Commissioner to meet the chief secretary and inspector general of police and submit a report after taking all necessary security measures.
“Considering the gravity of the matter, the Election Commission has issued notices summoning [KP Chief Minister] Sohail Afridi and candidate Sheharnaz Omar Ayub on Nov. 21, 2025, for violation of the Elections Act, 2017 and the Code of Conduct,” it added.
The ECP said it had also decided to send a letter to federal interior secretary seeking foolproof security arrangements with the assistance of federal security institutions to ensure the protection of the district returning officer, returning officers, other election officials, voters, and the public. Protection should also be provided for the movement of presiding officers toward polling stations and, after the election, toward the RO office, along with the election material, it said.
The electoral body warned that it would take strict legal action against any individual, personality, or public office holder’s attempts to interfere with or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the by-elections. “Similar instructions have been issued to the provincial Election Commissioner Punjab that if any official of the federal or provincial government violates the Code of Conduct or attempts to influence the by-election, the harshest possible action shall be taken in accordance with the Constitution and the law,” it added.
Omar Ayub was de-notified from NA-18 after being found guilty in a case pertaining to rioting on May 9, 2023. Despite his conviction, Ayub has yet to surrender before court. He has been campaigning for his wife, who is contesting for the seat.