The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the cantonment authorities have laid down strict conditions to run election campaigns in 42 cantonment boards across the country. Elections of cantonment boards on party-basis would be held on September 12.
According to the rules, candidates cannot post pictures of central, provincial leaders and supporters of political parties on pamphlets banners for their campaigns. The posters, pamphlets, banners of designated sizes can only have pictures of the candidate.
The prime minister, governor, chief ministers, federal and provincial ministers will not be allowed to visit any cantonment area, nor can they announce any development scheme during this period.
According to the code of conduct, the size of the poster will be 15 by 23 inches, the size of the pamphlet will be 9 by 6 while the banner will be 3 by 9 feet while a candidate’s portrait cannot be bigger than 2 by 3 feet. The campaign posters and pamphlets will not be pasted on any wall or building.
The candidates have been asked to use cloth banner and not panaflex material. Candidates are required to ensure that their expenses are calculated even if the promotional material is sourced from their supporters. The transfers and appointments of government officials in any cantonment will also be restricted once the election process begins.
The elections will be held on September 12 from 8am to 4pm, while the returning officer will declare the result on or after September 17.
Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) member Rashid Khan said such conditions on electioneering had never been imposed in the past and the purpose is to prevent creating a political atmosphere, he added.
The RCB official said it is against tradition to declare the official results five days later than national and provincial assemblies notify the elections results after two days.
Meanwhile, nomination papers will be issued to candidates from July 15.
The nominations will be accepted between July 26 and 29 while final lists will be posted on July 30. The documents will be scrutinised from July 31 to August 3 while the approval or rejection appeals will be filed from August 4 to 7.
The appellate authority will deal with appeals on August 10. After which, the list of candidates will be released on August 11 based on valid document papers.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2021.
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