ISLAMABAD_ Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday took notice of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s “irresponsible” comments regarding the upcoming NA-18 Haripur by-election scheduled for November 23. Addressing a public rally in Abbottabad’s Havelian, Afridi issued stern warnings to anyone attempting to manipulate the election results, raising concerns about threats to district administration, police, and election staff.
Notices Issued to Afridi and Shehrnaz Omar Ayub
In a press release, the ECP stated that CM Afridi’s speech violated the Elections Act 2017 and the Code of Conduct. Notices have been issued to Afridi and Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, wife of PTI leader Omar Ayub, summoning them to appear before the commission. Shehrnaz is contesting for the NA-18 seat vacated after her husband’s disqualification due to convictions related to the May 9, 2023, riots.
Precautionary Measures Ordered
The ECP directed the provincial election commissioner to coordinate with the KP Chief Secretary and police chief to ensure security arrangements are in place. Additionally, the Interior Secretary has been requested to deploy civil armed forces and the Pakistan Army to maintain foolproof security during the by-election.
Afridi’s Speech and Political Context
During his speech, Afridi accused state institutions of failing their responsibilities and undermining democratic norms, urging them to act constitutionally. He predicted a decisive victory for Shehrnaz and claimed there was no real competition. The rally also featured several PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Senator Faisal Javed, MNA Junaid Akbar, and MPA Iftikhar Khan Jadoon.
Haripur Contest: PTI vs PML-N
Shehrnaz faces PML-N candidate Babar Nawaz Khan, who enjoys backing from party leaders, including retired Captain Safdar Awan. Promises of development projects such as hospitals, a stadium, a women’s university, and bridges have been made to the constituency. Analysts note that Haripur’s political scene remains largely dominated by patronage rather than ideology, with women historically unable to secure assembly seats directly.
ECP Warns Against Interference
The ECP emphasized that any attempt to interfere with or disrupt the peaceful conduct of elections will result in strict legal action. These measures aim to ensure that voting in NA-18 Haripur occurs smoothly and safely for both officials and voters.
