The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday took notice of an alleged violation of the code of conduct by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar during the by-election campaign in NA-77, Gujranwala-I. According to the ECP spokesperson, the minister allegedly visited the constituency by helicopter and addressed a campaign event for Rashid Basheer Virk, who is contesting the election.
This activity undertaken by the minister violates a provision in the code of conduct that bars public officeholders, including federal ministers, from participating in campaign activities. The commission has sought a report from the district monitoring officer and district returning officer to ensure transparency and accountability.
It has also directed the minister to appear before the district election commission, Gujranwala, in person to explain his position regarding the ongoing political activities. The ECP added that the result of the constituency could be withheld until a final decision is made on the matter in accordance with the law.
By-elections in NA-77 and Punjab Assembly constituency PP-203 (Sahiwal-VI) are scheduled for today (8 November), both of which fell vacant after the deaths of their respective Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) legislators. The electoral body remains vigilant about enforcing rules across all districts.
District administration and security personnel have been placed on high alert to maintain law and order during the polling process. Voters are expected to cast their votes in a peaceful environment without any undue pressure or influence from political figures.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) local leadership expressed confidence that their candidate will secure a victory despite these administrative hurdles and scrutiny. They maintained that the visit was misunderstood and that party rules are respected.
On the other hand, opposition parties have welcomed the ECP's notice, demanding strict action against any government official attempting to sway voters. They argued that a level playing field is essential for holding free and fair elections in the region.
Political analysts suggest that this strict stance by the election commission will set a strong precedent for future electoral contests across the country. It highlights the growing importance of maintaining a strict code of conduct during intense political campaigns.
As polling stations opened early in the morning, long queues of voters were witnessed outside various centers in Gujranwala and Sahiwal. Turnout is expected to remain steady as supporters of different factions come out to back their respective candidates.
The ECP has established a central control room in Islamabad to monitor the situation in real time and address any complaints promptly. Further updates regarding the inquiry into the minister's visit will be released after the polling concludes.