ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly Asad Qaiser today (Friday) to explain his position over alleged violation of the election code of conduct. In a notice sent to him, the Election Commission asked the speaker KP Assembly to appear before the ECP forum at 10:00am otherwise, the matter would be decided in his absence. A contesting candidate, Muhammad Islam Khan, who is from district Swabi, had filed a petition against Asad Qaiser, who was elected member of the provincial assembly PK-35, Swabi-VI. Islam is the Awami National Party (ANP) district president. Moreover, Asad Qaiser has been directed to desist from such activities, which amount to violation of the code of conduct for local bodies elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa slated for May 30.Meanwhile, the ECP asked Federal Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani to submit his reply to petitions filed against him by June 03 along with an affidavit. Durrani came to the Election Commission after attending a seminar, about which he had intimated the forum earlier in the day. Former MNA Humayun Saifullah had filed a petition against Durrani for allegedly using the government resources for canvassing of candidate for his choice in Bannu, his home district. Three contesting candidates from Charsadda, namely Jahangir Khan, Maulana Alamzeb and Maulana Khalilur Rehman, have filed petitions against former minister for interior and MNA from Charsadda-II Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao for allegedly violating the code of conduct. Another respondent is MPA from PK-20 Khalid Khan. The Election Commission has summoned them today. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has also issued a schedule for by-election for NA-162, Sahiwal-III. The seat of the National Assembly had fallen vacant after the election tribunal Multan had declared the election of MNA Rai Hasan Nawaz as null and void. According to the schedule, polling will be held on July 05, nomination papers will be filed on June 04, scrutiny will be held on June 08-09, last date for filing of appeals against decisions by returning officers will be June 13 while last date for deciding appeals by the tribunals is June 15. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is June 17 while final list will be issued on June 18.
