In advance of the Punjab assembly elections scheduled on May 14, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released a code of conduct addressing the election campaign after concluding consultation with the political parties.
Political parties were instructed by the electoral authority to refrain from criticizing the Pakistan Army and the judiciary while campaigning.
Also, political parties have been warned to refrain from making fun of the Election Commission.
In order to help law enforcement agencies ensure the safety and security of election materials, elections officials, and polling agents on election day, political parties, competing candidates, election agents, and their followers have been asked to cooperate.
Punjab Elections Code of Conduct Guidelines
No one is permitted to exert undue influence over any candidate’s decision to run or not run in the election. “The political parties, contesting candidates, election agents and their supporters shall not indulge in offering gifts or gratifications or inducements to any person to contest or not to contest as a candidate, or to withdraw or retire or not to withdraw or not to retire from the election. Violation will be treated as corrupt practice,” states the code of conduct.
Political parties are required by the electoral authority to provide at least 5% of the general seats in any assembly. “Making the selection of candidates on general seats in an assembly, the party shall ensure at least five percent representation of women candidates as required under Section 206 of the Act,” it states.
A candidate for office must open a separate bank account to handle his campaign expenses. “As provided in section 133 of the Elections Act, 2017 all candidates shall open an exclusive account with any branch of a scheduled bank wherein any donation or subscription shall also be deposited,” it said.
It is forbidden to show weapons at public gatherings and processions. “There will be a complete ban on carriage and display of all kinds of weapons and fire arms in public meetings and processions as well as on the elections day and until twenty-four hours after the consolidation of official results by the Returning Officers and official regulations in respect thereof shall be strictly observed,” it states.
Holders of public office, such as ministers, the president, and the prime minister, are prohibited from engaging in political activity within their constituency. “The public office holders including president, prime minister, chairman/deputy chairman senate, speaker/deputy speaker of an assembly, federal ministers, ministers of state, governors, chief ministers, provincial ministers and advisors to the prime minister and the chief minister, mayor/chairman/Nazim, their deputies, shall not participate in any manner whatsoever,” it states.
No one will pull down banners of competing political parties; instead, they will utilize banners, posters, and panaflex in the sizes permitted by the ECP. “There shall be a complete ban on hoardings, billboards, wall chalking, and panaflexes of any size. Violation will be treated as an illegal practice,” it states.
Election campaigning cannot be held within 400 meters of the voting place on election day. Political flags and banners will also not be allowed inside the voting place. “On elections Day, there shall be a complete ban on all kinds of campaigns, canvassing, persuading of voters for vote, soliciting of vote and not to vote in the election or canvassing for a particular candidate within the radius of 400 meters of a polling station,” it states.
Elections for the Punjab Provincial Assembly will take place on May 14 under the Supreme Court’s directive.
The Electoral Commission has therefore already started making the required preparations. The apex court’s orders, however, have not been accepted by the federal government.
To read our blog on “Punjab polls will be on 14 May, SC verdict on ECP ruling,” click here.
