Pakistan elections: Poll body may act against Imran Khan, Shehbaz for post-vote comments

Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician and head of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan during an election campaign rally. (Photo: AFP)


The Election Commission on Wednesday took notice of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif delivering speeches after casting their votes in the 11th general elections, which it termed as “violation of the code of conduct”.

The poll panel spokesperson Nadeem Qasim told Express News that actions may be taken against politicians who delivered speeches and those who voted on-camera with their every move being monitored.

Qasim said that the vote might not be endangered, but the voter may face consequences as per the Election Commission’s law. The electoral body also directed media channels to not air live media talks of candidates as long as polling was under way.

The poll body also took notice of PML-N leader and former Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif’s press talk after casting his vote in Sialkot.

A day earlier, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority issued show-cause notices to several news channels for inviting candidates on their live election transmissions.

The representatives of the channels were directed to file written replies as well as appear for personal hearings on July 31.