ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Sunday took notice of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khwaja Saad Rafique’s premature claim to victory despite counting still being underway.
The former railways minister had declared victory “by thousands of votes” in the evening before official announcement of the result of NA-131, Lahore-XI. “We will launch protests if results in my constituency are tampered,” he threatened even before completion of counting.
According to a press release issued by the ECP, “Strict notice has been taken of Khwaja Saad Rafique’s remarks”.
The ECP notice observes that “No candidate has the right to interfere or exert pressure on presiding officers and returning officers while performing their duties”.
The ECP spokesman said that the commission would not tolerate any intrusion by any political party or candidate.
Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Prime Minister Imran Khan had won NA-131 in the general elections 2018. He retained his Mianwali seat, therefore, he had to vacated this seat.