Pakistan

Code of conduct violation: Thousands of banners, posters removed

As many as 2,396 candidates will contest LG polls in ICT scheduled for Nov 30

Obaid Abbasi November 16, 2015

Administration officials stand outside a plaza displaying a large banner in PWD, Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad administration on Monday claimed removing large size banners, posters and signboards put up by various candidates for the local government polls, in violation of the code of conduct issued by the election commission.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Captain (retired) Mushtaq Ahmed said that the administration acted after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the public at large complained about the code violation.

Ahmed claimed that during the drive, thousands of banners, signboards, and posters were removed from roads, streets and other public places in the union councils of Lohi Bher, Kirpa, Koral, Bhara Kahu, Tarlai, Koral and sectors F-10, F-11, G-10, 11, I-10, I-11 and other areas.

He said that the crackdown would continue against violators and the ECP’s code of conduct would be implemented at all costs.

The official explained that majority of candidates had placed banners, and posters in violation of the allowed size and space.

Under the code of conduct, use of loud speaker, display of weapons, holding large public rallies or processions is also prohibited.

Candidates are allowed to hold corner meetings with the prior permission of the local administration.

Political leaders and government officials will not directly or indirectly participate in the election campaign of any candidate. They will also not visit any union council and refrain from announcing any developmental scheme.

As many as 2,396 candidates will contest the local government elections in the federal capital scheduled for November 30. The ECP website states the number of registered voters in Islamabad as 685,104 including 314,257 women.

There are 50 union councils in the ICT region. Syed Jawad Muzaffar, a returning officer of a rural area, said that he took action against 15 candidates for violating the ECP code of conduct. He said that they had put up banners and signboards of size larger than allowed by the ECP.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2015.