ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) granted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi an exemption from attending a hearing in person regarding allegations of issuing threats to government employees.
The case was reviewed by a four-member bench chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Afridi and candidate Shehrnaz Bano had been summoned over accusations of intimidation linked to the ongoing election campaign. Neither appeared personally before the commission; however, Afridi was represented by his legal counsel, Ali Bukhari. Bukhari informed the commission that the Chief Minister was occupied with a meeting and requested an exemption from his presence at the hearing. He further noted that he had only communicated with Afridi over the phone and had not met him directly.
The ECP clarified that summons were issued to the individuals in their personal capacities. During the proceedings, some remarks from commission members raised concerns, to which Bukhari objected, urging the Chief Election Commissioner to ensure proper procedural guidance for the members.
The allegations against Afridi pertain to claims that he had threatened government employees during the election process, violating the Election Code of Conduct. The code explicitly prohibits public office holders from engaging in election campaigns or exerting undue influence on voters or election staff. Additionally, Shehrnaz Bano, the spouse of NA-18 Haripur candidate Omar Ayub, was also accused of similar violations, according to the ECP secretary.
The hearing remains ongoing as the commission continues to assess the alleged misconduct and its potential consequences for the electoral process within the province.
