KP Chief Minister Afridi Responds to ECP Concerns Regarding By-Poll Remarks
ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi issued a clarification on Thursday regarding remarks he made about the upcoming NA-18 by-election. This statement comes in response
ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi issued a clarification on Thursday regarding remarks he made about the upcoming NA-18 by-election. This statement comes in response to a request from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for army and civil armed forces deployment due to concerns over CM Afridi's alleged threats and provocative language directed at public officials.
By-election: Context of the ECP's Request
In a recent speech delivered during a political gathering in Chamba, near Havelian, Afridi was reported to have used strong language, which the ECP interpreted as a clear threat towards district administration, police officers, and electoral officials involved in the by-poll scheduled for November 23. The ECP's letters to the secretaries of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior highlighted the alarming nature of his statements and expressed the need for heightened security measures.
CM Afridi's Clarification
Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, CM Afridi contended that his comments were taken out of context. "I was not campaigning for anybody. I said yesterday that there should be no rigging," he emphasized. He expressed frustration over repeatedly being denied access to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, claiming this was his seventh attempt to meet Khan since taking office as chief minister.
Allegations of Intimidation
The ECP's allegations stem from Afridi’s speech, in which he ostensibly warned local political figures in Haripur against tampering with electoral results, asserting, "If the people’s mandate is tampered with, the consequences will not be good. Any attempt at rigging will create a serious situation." He characterized the current political climate as one where justice is being denied, suggesting the potential for unspecified actions to be taken in response to perceived injustices.
Regrettably, the electoral body noted that CM Afridi's incitement against election officials and voters may hinder the effective performance of their duties. The ECP documented concerns that individuals accompanying Afridi, including a reported fugitive, posed additional threats to electoral integrity.
ECP's Response and Future Actions
In light of these developments, the ECP has requested the deployment of military and civil armed forces to ensure the safety of electoral officials and voters. The commission has also issued a notice to CM Afridi, citing a violation of the electoral code of conduct as outlined in Section 170 of the Elections Act of 2017. This section explicitly forbids Chief Ministers from interfering in electoral processes or inciting violence against public officials.
A meeting has been scheduled for Friday at noon, involving the provincial election commissioner, KP Inspector General, and other relevant authorities to review the situation. By-poll candidate Shehrnaz Khan has also been instructed to attend this meeting.
Conclusion
The ECP asserted that any disruptions to the conduct of the by-election could lead to severe legal repercussions for any individuals attempting to influence the process. The commission remains committed to maintaining the integrity of the election and protecting all involved parties.
