Election Commission Issues Notices to Information Minister Tarar, Rashid Warraich over NA-77 Campaign

GUJRANWALA: The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued a notice to Information Minister Atta Ullah Tarar over an alleged violation of the election code of conduct during the by-election for NA-77 Gujranwala. The notice was issued on Saturday by the District Monitoring Officer.

According to a press release from the office of the Provincial Election Commissioner Punjab, media reports stated that the federal minister visited the constituency by helicopter and attended a gathering. He had been taking part in the election campaign of Rashid Bashir Warraich, the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) candidate.

The notice states that federal ministers taking part in election campaigns violate Clauses 18 and 41 of the code of conduct. It also cites Section 182 of the Elections Act 2017, which concerns participation in election campaigning during the restricted period.

Tarar has been asked to appear before the District Monitoring Officer at 11am on November 8 and present his position. The commission has also sought inquiry reports from the District Monitoring Officer and the District Returning Officer. The federal minister has been directed to appear before the commission in his personal capacity. The result of the constituency may be withheld until a final decision is made.

The commission has also issued a notice to Rashid Bashir Warraich. He is accused of inviting Tarar to the constituency for his election campaign. He has been directed to present his explanation before the District Monitoring Officer at 11am on November 8. According to the notice, if he fails to appear, one-sided proceedings will be initiated.

The seats of NA-77 Gujranwala-I and the Punjab Assembly seat PP-203 Sahiwal-VI are vacant for the by-election. Both seats fell vacant following the deaths of PML-N members. The NA-77 seat became vacant after the death on September 11 of Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk, who had been a member of the National Assembly five times.