ECP bars president, governors from running Senate campaign

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued Code of Conduct for political parties, contesting candidates, election agents and voters for the upcoming Senate elections, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

According to a notification, the Commission said that as per the Code of Conduct, the political parties, candidates, voters and election agents will abide by all the directions and instructions issued by the ECP from time to time relating to the smooth conduct of the Senate elections.

It further said that the political parties, candidates, voters and election agents will not indulge in any kind of corrupt or illegal practices as defined in chapter-X of the Elections Act 2017.

The Election Commission said that all members will be banned from carrying mobile phones in the polling booth. Ballot papers cannot be photographed.

The president and governors will not run campaign for the Senate election. Casting vote in exchange for gifts or to intimidate for votes will be prohibited.

The successful candidate will submit the details of election expenses to the Returning Officer within five days.

The ECP said that transactions related to election expenses should be done with GST registered institutions or individuals. Expenses incurred by a political party or anyone else will also be considered as expenses of the candidate.

The instructions issued by the Election Commission said that the expenditure should be made only from a specific bank account. 

Getting help from government offices or employees will be prohibited.

Distorting the official mark on the ballot paper would be considered as corrupt. Radicalizing judiciary, armed forces and the election commission must be avoided.

The Election Commission has also sought public support for effective implementation of the Code of Conduct.