Candidates told to follow code of conduct

District commissioner, Jhelum police chief warn contestants against display of arms, aerial firing,loudspeakers

JHELUM: The civil administration and police have asked the candidates to adhere to the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the electoral campaigns.

The candidates were told that display of arms and aerial firing would not be tolerated in this election campaign.



Addressing electoral candidates in a meeting held in district council hall, Deputy Commissioner Jahanzeb Awan and District Police Officer Mustafa Tanvir advised contestants to ensure strict adherence to ECP’s code of conduct during their election campaigns and the polls on July 25.

The city administrators said that all parties contesting general elections from Jhelum must ensure compliance to ECP’s code of conduct. The speakers said that candidates are not allowed to promote themselves using prohibited panaflexes, billboards and hoardings, while any display of weapons will be strictly dealt with.

Candidates must also take permission three days before holding any political gathering. Large public gatherings and rallies may only be allowed at designated places.

Several ECP officers and members of the city administration were present during the meeting, including Additional Deputy Commissioner Afaq Wazir, District Election Commissioner Khursheed Alam and DO Information Usman Sindho.

Deputy Commissioner Awan, who is also the election monitoring officer for the district, said that the administration was determined to ensure free and transparent elections in the city and that all electoral candidates were to be given equal opportunities. “ECP has released its code of conduct keeping in view aspirations of all political parties,” he said.

“The responsibility to ensure that the code is followed lies on all stakeholders,” Awan said.

According to ECP rules, political parties are not allowed to place any banners, hoardings and billboards in violation of ECP rules. Those violating the rule will be issued show cause notices and after their summary trial, fines and disqualification may be awarded.

As per rules, candidates may place posters sized 23x18 inches, banners under 9x3 feet, handbills, pamphlets and leaflets 6x9 inches, and portraits measuring 3x2 feet.

The DC also said that the administration may also review the applications for large-scale political rallies, while rally organisers must uphold to the given terms and conditions.

He reminded the candidates that as per ECP, the loudspeakers are not allowed in political gatherings. However, candidates may use sound system in corner meetings. Rallies purely held in cars and trucks are prohibited. “Candidates must ensure that no weapons are displayed in their election campaigns,” the deputy commissioner said, “candidates are however allowed to keep licensed weapons with their guards to ensure security for themselves but use of such weapons, even for aerial firing, is strictly prohibited.”



DPO Tanvir also vowed that the police will diligently perform its duties to ensure peace during the election season. He said that the law enforcement will ensure that ECP’s code of conduct is fully adhered to and that police believes in proving level-playing field to all candidates. He said strict action will be taken against those engaging in use and display of weapon. “We cannot allow display of weapons by even private security personnel. However, candidates are allowed to keep licensed weapons in their cars,” he said, adding that the police may report candidates promoting themselves in violation of ECP rules to the competent authority and get them fined and disqualified. The DPO also advised political parties to refrain from counting on violent and nefarious elements in their election campaigns.

The meeting also saw a question-and-answer session between DPO and election candidates. According to sources, all inquiries and reservations were prudently responded to by the district police officer.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2018.