EC unveils polls’ code of conduct
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday released draft Code of Conduct for coming general elections.Addressing a press conference here Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Dilshad said copies of the draft code of conduct have sent to more than 90 political parties registered with the EC.
All the political parties have been advised to submit their suggestions till November 3, he added. He said the Election Commission will finalize the Code of Conduct for coming election after receiving feedback from the all political parties
The copies of Draft have been sent to all political parties for their feed back in the form of their recommendations, suggestions and opinions to finalize the Draft at ‘All Parties Conference’ expected to be held very soon. The Draft Code of Conduct was given approval in a meeting held under the chairmanship of, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Qazi Muhammad Farooq. Members of election commission Justice Naseem Sikandar, Justice Ahmad Khan Lashari, Secretary election commission Kanwar Dilshad and other relevant officials were also present on this occasion. While addressing a press conference after meeting, Secretary election commission told that Pakistan was inching towards general elections, and for that matter, numerous preparations to hold polls in a smooth fashion have been actualized. Forthcoming elections, he says, are of very importance as the entire international community is carefully watching all the developments occurring inside the country.
“Being a national institution, election commission will welcome criticism from political parties to enhance its procedural process regarding to upcoming elections”, he stated. He expressed his determination about the implementation of the Draft that no one would be allowed to violate.
According to approved Draft, the political parties shall not propagate any opinion, or act in any manner prejudicial to the ideology, sovereignty, integrity, and security of Pakistan. Political parties shall take care of the independence of Judiciary. Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life. Criticism based on unverified allegations or distortions shall be avoided.
Concerned political parties and contesting candidates may announce there overall development programme. But after the announcement of the election schedule till the day of polling, no candidate or any person on his behalf shall openly or in secret give any subscription or donation or make promise for giving subscription or donation nor shall commit to undertake any development project in the respective constituency.
All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities, which are corrupt practices and offences under the election laws. The right of every individual for peaceful and undisturbed domestic life be respected. No political party shall permit his followers to make use of any individual’s possession like land, building, compound wall etc. Political parties shall ensure that their supporters do not create obstruction in meetings arranged by other political entities. The election contenders shall refrain from making statements afflicting Pakistan’s foreign relationships.