Presidential polls: ECP disallows parliamentarians from carrying mobile phones

Secrecy of the ballot can be compromised if pictures are taken of stamped ballot papers.


Qamar Zaman July 28, 2013
PML-N presidential candidate Mamnoon Hussain and PTI presidential candidate Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) imposed a ban on Sunday on members of the parliament and provincial assemblies from carrying mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The commission issued a statement drawing attention of the members to Article 12 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution, which states that elections for the office of the President shall be held by secret ballot.

Secrecy of the ballot can be compromised if voters take pictures of stamped ballot papers to prove their loyalty to a particular candidate.

“The Chief Election Commissioner and Returning Officer has directed the Presiding Officers for the Presidential Election to ensure that the secrecy of the ballot is not violated through any mode whatsoever by the voters," said the statement issued by the ECP.

"A ban has also been imposed upon members of Parliament and all provincial assemblies for taking with them mobile phone or any other electronic device, through which a picture can be taken, in the premises of the polling station i.e. Assembly Chamber by the members of Parliament and the members of the provincial assemblies on July 30, the day of elections,” the statement added.

COMMENTS (7)

Naushad Shafkat | 10 years ago | Reply

School boys at the examination hall eh?

Ayesha Akbar | 10 years ago | Reply

@Uza Syed For Security you have to gangs of bodyguards. As we all know about current condition of Pakistan. and mobile phones should be really banned because one call can change full decision in Parliament

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ