Getting organised: ECP demands impartiality from election observers

The poll body issues Code of Conduct for observers, polling staff and security personnel.


Azam Khan March 09, 2013
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has laid out a detailed Code of Conduct (CoC) for international observers. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:


With elections looming, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has laid out a detailed Code of Conduct (CoC) for international observers, its polling staff and security personnel in efforts to ensure impartiality, organisation and fairness on Election Day.


CoC for international observers

International observers are required to adhere to the laws of Pakistan and respect the authority of the Election Commission of Pakistan and its officials during the upcoming elections, reads the code of conduct.

“Strict political impartiality shall be maintained by observers at all times during the election process,” read the notification, adding that “they shall not exhibit any bias or preference with regard to national authorities, political parties and candidates as well as any issue related to the process of elections.”



The observer has the right to ask any question and to clear any query they have, but the code warns that they are not to obstruct, directly or indirectly, any pre-election, election and post election process. Observers will be required to display their official identification badges, issued by the election commission, at all times and shall present it to electoral officials and other national authorities when requested.

Observation organisations or groups are to ensure that only authorised individuals will comment on the election process. Additionally, observer organizations can share their findings, methodology and recommendations with the ECP. In case of violation of this Code of Conduct, the ECP reserves the right to withdraw the accreditation of any individual observer or observer mission.

The code adds that observers must exhibit sensitivity for the culture and customs of the country along with behaving in a professional manner at all times.

All organisations requesting accreditation from the Election Commission of Pakistan are responsible for educating and training their individual observers in electoral laws and procedures, including the code of conduct, before elections.

CoC for polling staff

The notification states that presiding officers shall not follow any instructions except those given by the District Returning Officer and /or Returning Officer (RO). Assistant Presiding Officers and Polling Officers are to obey the instructions of the presiding officer during the conduct of poll.



“All the polling personnel shall perform their duties in a neutral manner and treat all the voters, representatives of political parties and candidates, media and observers without any bias,” read the CoC, which adds, “Polling personnel shall not involve themselves in any political activity nor shall they express any political preference during the performance of their duty at the polling stations.” The code also mentions that personnel are required to show proper courtest to illiterate and disabld voters while protecting their right to privacy.

CoC for security personnel

The code goes on to say that on polling day all officers are to be promptly deployed by law enforcement agencies.

Security personnel deputed at the polling station are required to stay outside the polling station premises or at a place as directed by the concerned Presiding Officer. The security personnel standing outside the polling station shall facilitate the voters and ensure that they are properly queued. They will render all possible assistance to persons with physical disability, old and sick voters including pregnant women. Such voters shall be allowed to stand at the front of queue. “The security forces shall abide by all the relevant laws and continuously work on winning the general public’s trust by maintaining law and order during election process,” the CoC reads.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2013.

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