Three-year jail term for candidate if ethnicity, religion used to gain votes: ECP

ECP strictly prohibits the use of religion and ethnicity to ask for votes.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) strictly prohibited the use of clan relations, ethnicity and religion for the basis of asking for votes and warned of a three-year jail term for any political candidate found using such means, reported Express News on Wednesday.

In an attempt to eliminate the possibility of emotional blackmailing, the ECP provided this warning to all contesting parties.

Earlier on Sunday, the ECP reminded political groupings and their candidates that they would strictly enforce the code of conduct in place for the 2013 general elections. It called upon all contestants to refrain from eliciting votes “on the basis of religion, sect, caste or ethnicity”, citing a specific provision in the 46-clause code of conduct.

Clause 19 says “political parties, contesting candidates and their supporters shall not propagate against the participation of any person in the elections on the basis of gender, ethnicity, religion or caste”.

The poll body has also strengthened the security of polling stations.

Trying to reduce the external influence on voters, the commission announced that candidates, lawmakers and polling staff who criticise or elevate any political party in front of voters within the premises of polling station will be put behind bars.