ECP Seeks Written Reply from CM Afridi on Jurisdiction Objection in Code of Conduct Case

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought a written reply from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding his objection to the Commission’s jurisdiction in a case pertaining to alleged violations of the election code of conduct. The ECP has also restrained the District Returning Officer (DRO) Haripur from taking further action against the chief minister. A detailed written order has been issued in this regard.

According to the written order, the chief minister had been granted time in the previous hearing to submit his response; however, no reply was filed on his behalf. Meanwhile, the complainant, candidate Shehryar Umar Ayub, was also absent during the proceedings.

The order states that Sohail Afridi raised objections regarding the maintainability of the case, but all legal issues can be addressed through a written submission. The ECP will decide on these objections at an appropriate stage. It further notes that Section 15 of the Elections Act grants the Commission broad powers, while Clause 18 of the code of conduct is not restricted to any single constituency.

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The Commission has exempted the KP chief minister from personal appearance in future hearings and directed him to submit a written reply before the next date. Additionally, the ECP has ordered that a fresh notice be issued to candidate Shehryar Umar Ayub.

The hearing has been adjourned until December 4, while proceedings before the District Monitoring Officer (DMO) have been suspended until further orders. It may be recalled that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had challenged the ECP’s jurisdiction in this matter.