Polls’ code of conduct fails to gratify parties

ISLAMABAD—Eight major political parties expressed their frustration and disappointment with the Election Commission of Pakistan for the careless way in which the draft code of conduct was prepared. Citing the lack of consultation with any political parties in drafting the code, and the short time provided to review the draft, they demanded that the ECP extend the deadline for submitting their responses. The parties want a meaningful consultation process which the ECP so far has refused to provide.
All 8 parties confirmed that none of them was consulted in the preparation of the draft nor have they been informed of the process for finalizing the code after the ECP receives submissions from political parties. Referring to the mistakes in the preparation of the voters list as an example of what happens when the ECP fails to take into confidence the major stakeholders in the electoral process, the parties urged them not to make the same mistake again with the code of conduct.
At a roundtable organized by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and Center for Civic Education (CCE) in Islamabad on Thursday party representatives also expressed concern that the draft code seems designed mainly to restrict party activities rather than to set out the parameters for an effective, fair campaign by all the stakeholders including the government and election officials.
They highlighted the lack of a process in the draft to implement and monitor the code, as well as the absence of penalties for its violation which renders it somewhat meaningless. Senior leadership of Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-N, Jamiat Ulema Islam (F), Awami National Party, Pashtunkhaw Milli Awami Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and National Party participated in the roundtable.
Pakistan Peoples Party Spokesperson former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the draft code of conduct applies only to parties and called for the scope of the code to be broadened from political parties to government, the election commission, local government and the intelligence agencies. He added that it falls short of providing any mechanism for monitoring and implementation and does not include any mechanism to address complaints about violation of the code
“We don’t only want an extension of the deadline for providing feedback on the code but the extended period should be used for broad based multi-party consultations with all the parties” he stated. On the content of the draft code, parties called for the removal of those clauses of the code of conduct that limit parties’ ability to have mass contact with voters during the campaign and restricts them from criticizing the role of army in the politics and governance of the country.
They agreed that the prescribed limit on campaign expenses should be expanded, the ban on commenting on foreign policy and the army should be removed and equal access should be offered to all parties by the official media. The parties also want candidates and polling agents to be provided full access to all stages of the electoral process including the counting process and transportation of the ballots.
Opposition parties at the roundtable demanded the suspension of the local government system during the election period. Pakistan Muslim League MNA Farzana Malik clarified that the Muslim League is in favor of freezing the funds of nazims during the election period but it is against the suspension of the local government system.
Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Syed Zafar Ali Shah said that the overall political environment was not conducive to free and fair elections. He said that the Election Commission can’t do anything without the necessary authority to control government functionaries who are involved in the conduct of elections and they need powers to address complaints on the spot.
Secretary General of National Party Mir Hasil Bizanjo, responding to proposed restrictions on parties from commenting on the army, asked how parties could refrain from commenting on the army when their role will be the biggest issue in the campaign. He added that the parties should formulate an agreed upon code of conduct instead of the ECP.
MQM MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi said that his party supports the inclusion of all parties in consultations for the formulation of the code of conduct. ANP leader Hashim Babar expressed concern that security in some parts of the NWFP is a big issue and the Code of Conduct does not address these concerns.—Online