Allegations of a violation of the code of conduct have surfaced during the presidential election in the Punjab Assembly.
The incident unfolded when Sonia Ali Raza, a member of the Sunni Ittehad Council from Toba Tek Singh, displayed her vote before casting it in the assembly, violating the secret ballot rule.
This violation prompted the government alliance to challenge Sonia Ali's vote. Polling Agent Khalil Tahir Sandhu swiftly took action, submitting a written request to the election commission to annul the controversial vote.
On the other hand, concerns were also raised about members taking photographs of the ballot paper during the voting process in the National Assembly.
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On being pointed out by some members, the unauthorized use of mobile phones to capture images of the ballot papers was brought to the notice of the presiding officer, who immediately took action. The presiding officer halted the practice and ensured adherence to the electoral regulations.
Lawmakers across the country in the Senate, National as well as the four provincial assemblies are casting their votes to elect the 14th president of the country. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) finalized all preliminary arrangements for the process, which commenced at 10am and would conclude at 4pm.
PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, the joint presidential candidate of the PML-N, PPP, and other allied parties in the coalition government, stands poised to potentially secure his second term as president if successful in this election. He faces competition from Pakhtunkhwa Mili Awami Party President Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who is the joint candidate representing the opposition.
