ECP issues notice to Attaullah Tarar for alleged code of conduct violation ahead of NA-77 by-poll

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday issued a notice to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar for allegedly violating the code of conduct during the by-election in NA-77 Gujranwala.

According to a press release issued by the office of the Punjab Provincial Election Commissioner, the district monitoring officer issued the notice after Tarar participated in the election campaign of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Rashid Bashir Warraich.

The press release said: “The Election Commission of Pakistan has taken notice of an alleged violation of the code of conduct by Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar during the by-election for NA-77 Gujranwala. According to media reports, the federal minister toured the constituency by helicopter and attended a gathering.”

Read: ECP sets Nov 8 for by-polls at NA-77 Gujranwala

The notice stated that the participation of federal ministers in election campaigns violated paragraphs 18 and 41 of the ECP’s code of conduct.

It also cited Section 182 of the Elections Act 2017, pertaining to participation in election campaigns during the prohibited period.

Tarar has been summoned to appear before the district monitoring officer at 11am on November 8 to explain his position.

The notice further stated: “The commission has sought a report from the district monitoring officer and the district returning officer to investigate the matter. The federal minister has been directed to appear before the commission in a personal capacity. The constituency’s result may be withheld until a final decision is made in the matter.”

Meanwhile, the ECP also issued a notice to PML-N candidate Rashid Bashir Warraich for allegedly violating the code of conduct ahead of the NA-77 Gujranwala by-election.

Warraich has been accused of violating the code of conduct by inviting Tarar to the constituency to participate in his election campaign and has further been directed to appear before the district monitoring officer at 11am on November 8 and submit an explanation.

The notice issued to Warraich warned that one-sided proceedings would be initiated if he failed to appear and that compliance with the code of conduct would be ensured at all costs during the by-election.

By-elections will be held in National Assembly constituency NA-77 (Gujranwala-I) and Punjab Assembly constituency PP-203 (Sahiwal-VI), both of which fell vacant after the deaths of their respective PML-N lawmakers.

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NA-77 fell vacant following the death of five-time MNA Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk on September 11 after a prolonged illness. His son, Rashid Basheer Virk, is among the candidates contesting the by-election.

Similarly, PP-203 fell vacant following the death of PML-N MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt on September 17, reportedly from cardiac arrest.

Hanif Jutt had won the seat in a by-election held in November 2025 after the constituency’s original winner, PTI-backed independent Rai Murtaza Iqbal, was disqualified following his conviction by an Anti-Terrorism Court.

The upcoming by-election will therefore be the second electoral contest for PP-203 since the 2024 general elections. PML-N candidate Muhammad Asad Hanif Jutt is among the contenders for the vacant seat.