In a bid to maintain the sanctity of the upcoming elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday released a comprehensive 17-point code of conduct, outlining strict guidelines for the national media, covering print, electronic, digital media, and social media influencers, reported 24newsHD TV channel.
Under the new code, the national media is prohibited from reflecting biased opinions against Pakistan's ideals, sovereignty, security, independence, and the integrity of the judiciary and other national institutions during the election campaign.
Statements or accusations that may pose a threat to national unity or the law and order situation are strictly forbidden.
Racist attacks on any candidate or political party based on gender, religion, or community will not be tolerated, with legal action promised for any violations.
Furthermore, allegations made by one candidate against another must be both stated and confirmed by both parties.
To ensure compliance, monitoring bodies such as PEMRA, PTA, PID, and the Cyber Digital Wing of the Ministry of Information will oversee media coverage given to political parties and candidates.
These bodies will also provide details of payments made by candidates and political parties within 10 days of the polling day, aiding in transparency.
The government and law enforcement agencies have pledged to provide protection to media representatives and their premises, guaranteeing a secure environment for reporting.
Additionally, the code mandates that no political party or candidate conducts campaigns using the national treasury.
Voter awareness programs are set to be conducted, contributing to an informed electorate. The election media campaign is to conclude 48 hours before the election day to allow voters a period of reflection free from campaigning.
Strict guidelines are also in place for media representatives during the voting process.
Only accredited individuals will be allowed to enter polling stations with cameras to capture the voting process, ensuring the secrecy of ballots. The counting process will be observed without cameras, and media representatives are prohibited from obstructing any stage of the election process.
In a bid to prevent premature announcements and maintain the credibility of election results, the code mandates a one-hour waiting period after the end of polling before broadcasting any results.
Results will be labelled as unofficial and incomplete until declared final by the Returning Officer.
Violations of the code of conduct may lead to the termination of journalist or media organization accreditation.
Reporter: Usman Khan