Islamabad (Pakistan News) — Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja questioned the absence of Information Minister Atta Tarar in a case concerning violations of the code of conduct during the NA-77 by-election, asking why he had not appeared despite being summoned in his personal capacity.
The case was heard by a three-member bench headed by the Chief Election Commissioner at the Election Commission of Pakistan. Those who appeared included Atta Tarar’s lawyer, Sujail Swati; PML-N candidate Rashid Bashir Work; the party’s women members of the provincial assembly; government officials Asma Naz and Qudsia Batool; as well as the deputy commissioner, returning officer and district monitoring officer.
During the hearing, Election Commission Secretary Umar Hameed said that a candidate from the Markazi Muslim League had submitted an application to the district returning officer, while Atta Tarar and Farooq Tarar had visited the constituency. Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal maintained that the application accused the information minister of violating the election code of conduct, an offence punishable by up to two years in prison. He urged the Election Commission to take strict action, saying that members of the National Assembly and ministers holding public office had remained active in the constituency.
In response to the Chief Election Commissioner’s query, Atta Tarar’s lawyer, Sujail Swati, said that the information minister was abroad on an official visit. Sikandar Sultan Raja responded sarcastically, asking what else the information minister had to do during the visit apart from providing media coverage.
The Chief Election Commissioner also expressed concern over the federal government’s directive not to assign teachers duties for local government elections in Islamabad. He asked where the Election Commission would find the required staff. He said the commission was taking serious notice of the federal government’s order, adding that the government wanted to sabotage the local government elections in Islamabad. However, he made it clear that the elections would be held in the city under all circumstances.
On this occasion, Sujail Swati said that Atta Tarar was outside the country and that serious allegations had been levelled against him, while describing the Election Commission as a highly respected institution.
Addressing Asma Naz, the Chief Election Commissioner said that if she continued roaming around polling stations, her position as a member of the provincial assembly could also be at risk. He said such tactics resulted in a reduction in the number of votes. He further remarked that Asma Naz’s smile gave the impression that she had no regret over her conduct, adding that she could also be issued a contempt of the Election Commission notice.