The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notice to Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar over an alleged breach of election regulations during campaigning for the NA-77 Gujranwala by-election, scheduled for November 8.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Punjab Provincial Election Commissioner’s office, the district monitoring officer initiated proceedings after reports emerged that Tarar had participated in campaign activities supporting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Rashid Bashir Warraich.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken notice of an alleged violation of the code of conduct by Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar during the by-election for NA-77 Gujranwala. According to media reports, the federal minister toured the constituency by helicopter and attended a gathering,” the statement said.
Election authorities maintained that the participation of federal ministers in election campaigns contravenes paragraphs 18 and 41 of the ECP’s code of conduct.
The notice also referred to Section 182 of the Elections Act 2017, which addresses electioneering during legally prohibited periods.
Tarar has been directed to appear personally before the district monitoring officer at 11am on November 8 to respond to the allegations and explain his involvement in the reported campaign activities.
The ECP has additionally requested reports from the district monitoring officer and district returning officer to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged violation.
“The commission has sought a report from the district monitoring officer and the district returning officer to investigate the matter. The federal minister has been directed to appear before the commission in a personal capacity. The constituency’s result may be withheld until a final decision is made in the matter,” the notice stated.
The commission’s warning raises the possibility that the announcement of the NA-77 election result could be delayed pending the outcome of the proceedings.
No final determination of a violation has been announced, and Tarar has been given an opportunity to present his position before election authorities.