ECP takes notice of Tarar’s NA-77 campaign visit

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of an alleged violation of the Code of Conduct by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar during by-election campaigning in NA-77 Gujranwala. According to Dawn, the minister visited the constituency by helicopter and addressed a campaign event for Rashid Basheer Virk, a candidate contesting the seat. This action violates provisions that bar public office holders, including federal ministers, from participating in campaign activities.

The ECP has directed the minister to appear personally before the commission and has sought reports from the district monitoring officer and the district returning officer to inquire into the matter. The commission also warned that the election results for the constituency could be withheld until a final decision is reached, according to both Daily Times and Dawn.

The by-election for NA-77 is scheduled for November 8. The seat became vacant following the death of five-time MNA Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk on September 11. His son, Rashid, is among the candidates contesting the election.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Times, Dawn - Pakistan, Dawn — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.