ECP Postpones Elections in Bajaur Amidst Candidate’s Assassination

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to postpone elections in Bajaur’s NA-8 and PK-22 constituencies following the tragic assassination of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed independent candidate Rehan Zeb Khan in the Siddiqabad area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur.

The ECP issued a notification to delay polls for the National Assembly’s NA-8 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s PK-8 seats in light of the incident.

Rehan Zeb Khan was fatally shot during his election campaign when unidentified assailants attacked his vehicle, resulting in his immediate demise. Four others were injured in the attack.

PTI strongly condemned the killing, expressing concern over the targeting of PTI-affiliated candidates and public gatherings, citing a threat to the fairness of the electoral process.

Meanwhile, amidst escalating violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ahead of the General Elections 2024, the ECP has called for an emergency meeting. Scheduled for Thursday at 3 pm, the meeting will address the deteriorating law and order situation in both provinces, with participation from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s caretaker home ministers, home secretaries, chief secretaries, and Inspector General of Police (IGP). The ECP will be briefed on the security situation in these regions.

Recent violent incidents have claimed at least five lives and left several others injured across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Sibi, four individuals were killed and five injured in a blast near a political rally on Jinnah Road. Law enforcement agencies have initiated investigations into the incident, with heightened security measures implemented in affected areas.