The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has once again warned the federal and provincial governments that the caretaker governments should not engage in any political activities that may threaten the conduct of elections.
In continuation of a previous notification issued by the ECP, it is stated that the caretaker governments shall not attempt to influence the elections or do or cause to be done anything which may, in any manner, influence or adversely affect the free and fair elections.
It added the caretaker governments being non-political entities can take actions or decisions regarding existing bilateral or multilateral agreements or the projects already initiated under the Public Private Partnership Authority Act 2017.
In other words, it warned the caretaker set-ups that they should remain limited to the powers granted under the Elections Act, 2017 to them.
Earlier, the ECP stopped the caretaker Punjab setup from exceeding powers.
The election commission wrote a letter to the caretaker Punjab chief minister (CM) and chief secretary. The letter stated that the caretaker set-up cannot take major decisions and can only exercise powers for running day-to-day affairs.
The ECP took notice of the issuance of NOCs to the housing societies in green belt areas by the deputy commissioners. The commission warned the caretaker set-up to refrain from taking such decisions which do not come under its jurisdiction but an elected government.
The commission directed the Punjab caretaker set-up to immediately stop issuing NOCs to the housing societies and issue instructions to the deputy commissioners.
The ECP also imposed a ban on all forms of recruitment within federal, provincial, and local government ministries, divisions, departments, or institutions, with the only exception in cases with prior approval from the Commission.
The Commission also instructed the interim governments to abstain from declaring or initiating any new development projects at both the federal and provincial levels, except for those that were already in progress or approved prior to the issuance of the notification.
“Starting from the moment the election schedule is announced, all development funds allocated for new projects within local government institutions across provinces and cantonment boards throughout the country will be halted. This pause will remain in effect until the announcement of the results of the general elections,” the notification said.
The election watchdog stated that it was constitutionally responsible for organizing and conducting elections fairly and honestly, as required by Article 218(3) of the Constitution.
The ECP also instructed the interim administrations at both national and provincial levels to collaborate with it in conducting elections within legal frameworks. “This involves adhering to all the notifications, guidelines, and regulations outlined in Section 230 of the same Act.”