Electioneering: AJK poll body unveils code of conduct for candidates

Ban on display of arms, wall chalking, firing in the air and use of vehicles during rallies

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir election body issued on Thursday a 35-point code of conduct for the intending candidates for the upcoming general elections on Thursday.

The code of conduct was unanimously approved at a meeting of AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal and heads of all political and religious parties.

According to the code of conduct, a candidate can spend Rs2 million on electioneering in his or her constituency and Rs0.5 million on personal expenditures. The candidates are bound to open an account in any bank or post office to meet the expenditures of the election campaign which can be verified by the commission.

The display of weapons, firecrackers and jubilation firing in the air during the election rallies have completely banned to ensure that the voters use their adult franchise in a conducive and peaceful atmosphere.

Nobody would be allowed to run a media campaign in favour or against any candidate on both print and electronic media from the government funds. Political parties have to discourage government employees from taking part in electioneering.

All the candidates have been directed not to issue any statement against Pakistan’s ideology, armed forces and judiciary.

A ban has also been imposed on the use of vehicles during the election rallies to avoid the traffic jam. Besides a ban on wall chalking, the candidates cannot use party flags during the election campaign.

However, they can print broachers, pamphlets and medium-sized posters. The candidates cannot display any kind of banner.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th,  2016.