KP CM Afridi Faces ECP Over Alleged Threats to Election Staff

Overview

• A five-member ECP bench led by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja heard allegations that Sohail Afridi intimidated election officials during the NA-18 by-election campaign.
• The ECP cited a monitoring officer’s report to claim non-compliance with its directives and affirmed its authority to act under the Election Act and the Constitution.
• Afridi’s counsel, Ali Bukhari, sought to merge related NA-18 petitions and challenged admissibility on the basis that the speech occurred in Abbottabad outside the district, but the case will proceed separately.
• The CEC granted Afridi exemption from the next appearance and adjourned the proceedings to December 4, indicating orders would follow after further arguments and filings.
• Defense arguments invoked parity with the prime minister and Punjab leadership, and the CEC pledged uniform enforcement, noting a related Talal Chaudhry hearing is scheduled for December 2.