ECP Warns PM Of Legal Action If He Visits KP Before Local Body Polls

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of reports of Prime Minister Imran Khan's expected visit to Peshawar ahead of the upcoming local government elections and warned him not to go to the province as it would constitute a violation of the code of conduct issued by the authority.

The warning came in response to reports that the premier was going to launch the "Micro Health Insurance Programme" in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday. In a letter addressed to the PM, the ECP said that following the Nov 4 notification by the latter, public officer holders could not visit the area.

"After the issuance of election schedule, the President, Prime Minister, Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker of any assembly Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Senate, Federal and Provincial Ministers, Advisors to the Prime Minister or Chief Minister or any other holder of public office shall not visit the area of any local council to announce any development scheme or to canvass or campaign for any candidate," the ECP said in its letter.

The ECP alerted the PM that violation of the code of conduct would lead to legal proceedings under Section-233 (code of conduct) and 234 (monitoring of election campaigns) of the Elections Act.

The Micro Health Insurance Programme that the PM is scheduled to launch will provide free medical services worth Rs1 million annually to 7.5 million families in the province.