GB Election 2020: PM Imran Khan violated code of conduct by addressing political rally, says Sherry Rehman

ISLAMABAD: PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman on Sunday criticized Prime Minister Imran Khan for violating code of conduct by addressing a political rally in Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of elections.

Rehman demanded the Chief Election Commissioner take notice of the violations of election rules and code of conduct by the premier and ministers of the federal government. She added that her party had submitted complaints to the CEC GB.

“The prime minister and a federal minister is running the campaign of their party illegally in Gilgit-Baltistan which is clear violation of the code of conduct of the elections and a pre-polling rigging,” she said while commenting on the prime minister address' in GB on Sunday.

Sherry Rehman said the federal ministers were addressing the corner meetings and announcing development projects in the campaign, which was not allowed after the announcement of election schedule.

The PPP leader said the prime minister reached GB after a federal minister and federal resources were being used in the election.

PPP lodges complaint with CEC

Meanwhile, the PPP wrote a letter of complaint to the CEC GB on alleged violation of code of conduct by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB Ali Amin Gandapur for campaigning in the elections for the PTI.

“The speeches of Gandapur are being telecast by several channels in which he is shown making electoral promises to the electorate,” said In-charge PPP Election Cell Taj Haider in a letter to the CEC.

Taj Haider stated in a letter that the Returning Officer of GBA 16 Diamer-II Chilas through a circular dated 27-10-2020 while taking notice of the news of forthcoming visit of federal minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB had restrained him from “participating in election campaign in any manner whatsoever”.

He stated that in blatant violation of the code of conduct and also in open defiance of the circular, the caretaker government of GB issued an office order on the October 29 nominating government officials in 10 districts to assist the visiting minister during his visit from October 28 to November 16.

He said the PPP also would draw the attention to the fact that the dates of the minister’s visit coincide with the duration of election campaign.

In the meanwhile, Spokesman to the former President, Asif Ali Zardari has said that Imran Khan's political speech in GB is against election rules and asked that why the Election commission of Pakistan does not take notice of this violation.

The spokesman said that the federal ministers are also influencing the elections in GB. He demanded of the ECP to fulfil its responsibility and take action against Imran Khan.