ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought a written reply from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan as to why he cast his vote openly in the NA-53 constituency on July 25.
The Commission also issued a notice to the PTI chief over violating the secrecy of ballot and casting his vote openly in violation of the code of conduct.
For this, Mr Khan’s counsel Babar Awan appeared before the ECP earlier in the day, a Pakistan daily The Dawn reported on Monday.
After hearing his argument, the Commission has asked Mr Khan to file a written reply and adjourned the matter till August 16.
On July 25, Mr Khan, instead of going behind the voting screen to cast his vote in secrecy, was seen publicly giving a thum impression on the ballot paper on the table. Neither the presiding officer nor other polling staff objected to the violation.
According to Section 185 of the Election Act, a person can be given a six-month jail sentence and/or fine of Rs 1,000 for not casting their vote in secrecy.
Mr Khan-led PTI has won the country’s general election with 116 National Assembly seats in the ballot. It fell short of 137 seats needed for a simple majority.
(AGENCIES)
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