The Election Commission has issued a notice to Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar over a code of conduct violation during the Gujranwala by-election in NA-77, a national assembly constituency in Punjab. A statement from the office of the Provincial Election Commissioner Punjab, issued from Lahore, said the notice was sent by the district monitoring officer of the commission. The minister has been called to give an explanation at 11am on 8 November.
What the notice says
The commission's spokesperson said Tarar took part in the election campaign of a PML(N) candidate. Under the election code of conduct, the participation of federal ministers in campaigns breaches paragraphs 18 and 41 of that code. The code of conduct is the set of rules that governs how candidates, parties and officials campaign during an election.
A second notice was issued under Section 182 of the Elections Act 2017 for attending campaign events while campaigning was restricted. The Elections Act 2017 is the main law governing elections in Pakistan.
What happens next
The minister is due to appear before the commission on 8 November. The spokesperson said that if he does not appear, the commission will decide the matter on the basis of the available record. The statement does not say how the minister has responded to the notices.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Election Commission ne Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar ko Gujranwala ke by-election ki muhim mein shirkat par notice jari kiya hai. Unhein 8 November subah 11 baje wazahat ke liye talab kiya gaya hai. Agar woh pesh nahi hue to dastiyab record ki bunyad par faisla hoga. Aam shehri ke liye yeh yaad dihani hai ke intikhabi qawaid sab par lagu hote hain.
