The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a show-cause notice to Shafi Jan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over what it described as a misleading and unsubstantiated statement concerning Forms 45 and 47.According to the notice, the remarks were made during an appearance on the Charsadda Journalist YouTube channel, where Shafi Jan allegedly levelled baseless allegations against the Election Commission in relation to the Haripur by-election.

The commission has sought a detailed explanation along with supporting evidence within seven days. In the show-cause notice, the ECP stated that the statement attributed to Shafi Jan was misleading, lacked factual support and amounted to an attempt to undermine public confidence in the constitutional institution. The commission warned that failure to respond within the stipulated timeframe would invite further legal action under the relevant laws. 

The notice further stated that the Election Commission takes any attempt to spread misinformation about the electoral process seriously, particularly claims relating to Forms 45 and 47, which are central to election transparency and results management. To substantiate its position, the Election Commission has attached both the video clip and the transcript of the statement in question with the notice served on the KP official.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)