Reserved seats: ECP issues code of conduct for polls

The electoral body bars holders of public office from influencing the Chairmen of UCs

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued the code of conduct for upcoming local government elections on reserved seats of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), barring the holders of public office from influencing the Chairmen of Union Councils.

The decision was taken to ensure that elections of the union councils could be conducted fairly, said spokesman of the ECP.

The ECP directs that all executive authorities in the federation will not use state resources in local government elections with an aim to influence elections in favour of a particular candidate or a political party.  If any person in government service misuses his official position in any manner to influence results of elections, he will be liable to be proceeded under Section 60 of the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act, 2015, he added.

Any holder of public office, who is found to have violated any provision of election laws or the instructions issued by the Election Commission, shall be proceeded against as mandated in law.

The offices of the Election Commission as well as the offices of District Returning Officer and Returning Officer shall remain open on all public holidays during the schedule period, he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2015.