ECP invites parties on code of conduct
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—In order to prepare code of conduct for next general elections 2008, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has convened All Parties Conference (APC) of all Political Parties on November 19. The central leaders of Political Parties have been asked to ensure their participation in the meeting sothat the code of conduct could be finalized. The decision into this effect was taken during the meeting of Election Commission of Pakistan held here on Wednesday, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Qazi Muhammad Farooq.
Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad Secretary ECP, Member Election Commission Justice Nasim Sikandar and Justice Ahmed Khan Lashari attended the meeting. Following meeting, Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad informed that the matters related to elections was discussed during the meeting. He said that the comments/suggestions received from the Political Parties on the Draft Code of Conduct for the Political Parties and contesting candidates were perused by the elections commission. It was decided that the prominent Political Parties may be invited to depute one Representative to attend the Meeting of the Election Commission to be held on the 19th November in the ECP Secretariat, Islamabad for further discussions and finalization of the said Code of Conduct, he maintained. The Notification regarding Schedule for the Conduct of General Elections, 2007-08 will be issued shortly after dissolution of the National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies of the Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, Secretary ECP added. Dilshad said that the appointments of District Returning Officers, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers for the ensuing General Elections, after having concurrence of the Chief Justices of the respective High Courts were approved.
The appointments of Returning Officers for the seats reserved for Women and non-Muslims in the National Assembly and all the four Provincial Assemblies have also been approved by the Election Commission, he pointed out. The next general elections, he said, will be held on January 5 or 7, he said, adding that, the elections of Provincial and national assemblies will take place same day according to the directives of President.