Election officials warn against breach of code of conduct

KARACHI:

The Election Commission district monitoring officers of South and Korangi districts have warned against breach of the election code of conduct in the upcoming local bodies' polls due on January 15.

"No new development scheme can be announced ahead of the elections," said Korangi District Monitoring Officer Khuda Bakhsh on Tuesday.

The inauguration of completed projects is permitted at this time, but development schemes cannot be announced, he said.

Also, Khuda Bakhsh said, ministers cannot visit the constituencies, nor can the government machinery be used overtly or covertly. Disdplay of arms at election rallies may and use banners and posters larger than the permitted size is prohibited and could cause disqualification.

District Monitoring Officer South Arun Kumar has said in the advisory that political parties cannot seek funds or gifts from people seeking nominations, neither can they give financial benefits to their candidates nor force them to resgin at party leader's orders.

Every political party is required to abide by the code of conduct. The ECP election code of conduct is available on the Internet with details about ban on car rallies disrupting traffic, development schemes, display of weapons, ministerial visits to constituencies, and inciting violence.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2023.