Observer Report
Islamabad
The Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday notified the postponement of the July 18 NA-205 by-election. The by-polls in the constituency will now be held on July 23. This move comes almost a month after the ECP issued a show-cause notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan for visiting the Ghotki district ahead of the by-election.
However, the Pakistan People’s Party urged the ECP to hold “free, fair and transparent” elections on the earlier scheduled date of July 18 and put an end to rumors surrounding the delay. Secretary-General of PPP Farhatullah Babar requested the chief election commissioner to avoid postponing the election. Earlier, a constitution petition against PPP candidate Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar was dismissed and he was allowed to contest the NA-205 Ghotki election.
PPP remained hopeful that the elections would be held as per the schedule. The party also stated that the rights of the people should be protected. The PM visited the family nine days after ECP notified the July 18 by-election and almost a month after the death of the former federal minister for narcotics control who was elected from NA-205. PPP’s Abdul Bari Pitafi, who is a prospective candidate for NA-205, submitted a complaint with the ECP accusing the PM of influencing the by-election.
