ISLAMABAD — Show-cause notices have been issued to Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Huzaifa Rehman for allegedly violating the code of conduct under the Election Act 2017, Punjab Election Commissioner Sharifullah said on Thursday. A spokesperson for the provincial election commissioner said that the federal minister and the SAPM were directed to submit their explanations by November 21 (today).
“No minister or advisor is allowed to run an election campaign,” the spokesperson said, warning that swift action will be taken against any code violations to ensure free, fair, and impartial elections. By-elections in six national and seven provincial assembly seats in Punjab are scheduled for November 23. According to the Dera Ghazi Khan district monitoring officer, Leghari reportedly participated in the election campaign of PML-N candidate Mahmood Leghari in the NA-185 constituency.
The monitoring officer said that, by taking part in the campaign as a federal minister, Leghari breached official instructions. The minister has been asked to appear before the authorities and clarify his position regarding the alleged ECP violations. The monitoring officer further said that SAPM Rehman has been violating the election code of conduct.