The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notice to Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber‑Pakhtunkhwa, regarding alleged breaches of the election code of conduct ahead of the by-election in NA-18 (Haripur).
The notice claims Afridi addressed a public gathering in Haripur and used threatening rhetoric, which the ECP argues violates rules that bar public office-holders from participating in campaign activities.
Afridi’s legal counsel, Ali Bukhari, countered that the notice was “unjustified,” noting the Chief Minister spoke in neighbouring Abbottabad and Havelian — outside the NA-18 constituency. He also pointed to similar alleged violations by other parties.
The ECP’s four-member bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has asked the K-P Election Commissioner, the Chief Secretary, and the Inspector General of Police to report to the Commission, warning that the unrest could undermine a peaceful by-poll in Haripur.