The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued a notice to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, accusing him of violating the code of conduct and influencing election results in favor of a specific political party. The Commission, in a letter to Joint Election Commissioner Sindh Murtaza Wahab, emphasized that his recent press conference, in his capacity as the Mayor of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, suggests support for a particular political party, contravening Clause No. 18 and 41 of the Code of Conduct.
The Commission underscored that the Code of Conduct prohibits mayors, chairmen, and moderators from endorsing any political party. Murtaza Wahab has been instructed to provide a written explanation, failing which legal action will be taken. The Election Commission, mandated by Article 218 (93) of the Constitution, emphasized its constitutional duty to ensure transparent elections.
Issued on December 20, 2023, under section 33 of the Election Act 2017, the Code of Conduct applies to political parties, election candidates, election agents, and polling agents. Notably, it prohibits the involvement of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen Senate, Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Federal Ministers, Ministers of State, Governors, Chief Ministers, Provincial Ministers, Advisers, Mayors, Chairmen, and Moderators in election campaigns.
This provision extends to caretaker setups, with exceptions made for members of the Senate and local government, who are permitted to engage in election campaigns under strict adherence to the Election Commission’s guidelines. Violations by political parties, candidates, their supporters, and elected local government representatives, such as announcing or inaugurating development schemes that may influence election outcomes, will result in legal consequences.