Code violation on display

Large elections banners, hoarding and streamers go against ECP code of conduct

LAHORE: In gross violation of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct, both the former ruling party and opposition have displayed massive panaflex banners, streamers and hoardings in the provincial capital, The Express Tribune learnt on Monday.

A survey of main city markets and residential areas shows that election candidates of almost all political parties, ahead of the upcoming polls, have displayed unapproved sizes of banners and streamers. In several areas, like Township, Iqbal Town, Faisal Town, Gharhi Shahu political parties’ candidates have displayed 3x5 and 3x6-foot streamers along streetlights and electricity poles.

In residential and commercial areas, political parties have displayed huge panaflexes and hoardings with pictures of party heads, along with contesting candidates, at crossroads and directly in front of their party offices or in the surroundings.

According to the ECP General Elections 2018 Code of Conduct for political parties, contesting candidates and polling agents, there is a complete ban on larger hoardings, billboards, wall-chalking and panaflexes of any size. No person or a political party can affix or distribute posters, handbills, pamphlets, leaflets, banners or portraits larger than the sizes prescribed by the commission.



The code of conduct notification, issued by the commission, indicates that the ECP has allowed only 18x23 inch posters; 9x6 inch handbills, pamphlets and leaflets; 3x9 foot banners and 2x3 foot portraits/streamers.

The commissions has also directed all candidates and political parties to ensure that the name and address of the concerned printer or publisher is on display on posters, handbills, pamphlets, leaflets, banners and streamers. “Any deviation from prescribed sizes in publicity material will be treated as an illegal practice.”

In order to preserve the sanctity of Quranic verses, sayings of the Holy Prophet (SAW) or holy scriptures of other religions, the commission has instructed candidates, political parties and election agents to avoid their printing on publicity material.

However, in some areas like Johar Town and Township, Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has pasted unapproved small posters on main chowks with the Holy Prophet’s (SAW) name.

The code of conduct notification highlighted that political parties, contesting candidates and election agents cannot affix posters on walls or a building. The commission also barred political parties from printing pictures of officials like the chief justice of Pakistan, army chief or civil servant on any publicity material.

“Posters, portraits and banners affixed by one party shall neither be removed nor the distribution of handbills and leaflets be prevented by workers of another party. No person or political party or a contesting candidate and their supporters shall hoist or fix party flags at any public building or any other public property, except with the permission in writing from local government or authorities and on payment of such fees or charges as may be chargeable. Violation will be treated as an illegal practice,” the code declared.

It added political parties or candidates cannot permit their followers to make use of any private land, building or compound wall etc without the permission of the owner to erect flagstaffs and notices.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, printing press owner Sajjad, revealed that polling-related business is done on a cash basis as the business community has no time run after election candidates for collection. “It is really difficult to get bills released after elections. Neither does losing candidates pay his bills nor can you recover money from winning candidate. So it is better to do all election jobs on advance payment,” he maintained.

Responding to a question, he said there is no question of any tax, including GST, on election business as most transactions are done in cash. “It may be true that the commission has ordered the payment of GST, but it substantially increases the cost of electioneering which does not suit to any candidate.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2018.