Personal comments to the media have also been discouraged..PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday issued the code of conduct for all international observers, polling staff and security personnel present during the general polls.
The code of conducts have been released under Article 218(3) of the Constitution read with Section 104 of the Representation of the People Act, 1976.
Observers
The ECP states that all international observers are to adhere to the laws of Pakistan and respect all ECP authorities, state authorities, security officials and maintain a “respectful attitude towards them”.
The observers will have the right to ask questions, but cannot interfere in polling process. Impartiality is required and observers have been asked to refrain from activity that may project approval of one political party over another. Personal comments to the media have also been discouraged.
Polling staff
To ensure neutrality, polling personnel are not permitted to wear the symbol of any political party or candidate. Polling personnel may accommodate voters that require help, but are to protect the right to secrecy of voters.
Security personnel
Security personnel are required to ensure law and order throughout the electoral process while keeping neutrality intact. Pregnant women, old and sick voters and people with disabilities have to be given priority to stand at the front of the queue.
Security personnel are to ensure that no electoral material is tampered with, the code of conduct states “where any law enforcing agency is tasked with protecting and transporting election materials under its supervision, such election materials shall be transported with due care and diligence and shall not be tampered during their transport in any manner.”
Read the full ECP Code of Conduct here.
Hafeez Shaikh's seat
The election commission also issued the polling date for electing a member of the provincial assembly onto the seat vacated by former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh.
The election has been scheduled for March 14.
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"The election commission also issued the polling date for electing a member of the provincial assembly onto the seat vacated by former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh.
The election has been scheduled for March 14."
Serious waste of taxpayers money. NA dissolves on 16 March as do other provincial assemblies. Why then the need to elect someone for two days? Surely the ECP has powers to stop this.