Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan on Sunday vowed strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct ahead of and during the June 7 elections, warning candidates may face disqualification over repeated violations.
Addressing a press conference in Skardu, he said all political parties were violating the code of conduct, as clearly defined under the Election Act. Referring to recent claims of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders at being denied permission to participate in the campaign, he said they had failed to obtain the required no-objection certificates (NOCs), and attempted to spread “provocative content.”
Last week, PTI leaders Asad Qaiser and Junaid Akbar had both alleged that authorities had prevented from participating in the election campaign, adversely impacting the potential for free and fair elections.
“Cases will also be registered under the Code of Criminal Procedure for obstructing the electoral process,” warned Khan, while rejecting Akbar’s claims of police arresting PTI members.
The CEC claimed social media was being used to “make the election controversial.” He warned that if such actions continued, he would disqualify candidates for violations of the Code of Conduct.
Khan confirmed that police from the rest of Pakistan would be deployed in GB to ensure security during the polls. To a question, he said federal minister Amir Muqam had obtained a NOC prior to his visit for the campaign, adding other federal ministers had also been issued NOCs. He stressed that all lawmakers, including the prime minister, were required to seek permission prior to any political activities.
“Action will be taken against anyone attempting to tarnish or cast doubt on the elections,” he reiterated.
During his press conference, the CEC also addressed a letter written by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to the chief justice of GB. In the letter, Afridi had sought judicial intervention for free and fair polls, warning he would personally travel to the region if authorities continued to “detain” parliamentarians. Khan said the letter was inappropriate and had no legal standing, accusing the chief minister of trying to influence the electoral process.
The CEC emphasized that such letters aimed to sow unrest among the people of KP and GB. “We are all united under one flag,” he said, reiterating that the Election Act barred federal ministers, chief ministers, and governors from participating in election campaigns.