The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released a code of conduct pertaining to the upcoming Senate elections, which outlines the behavior expected from political parties, candidates, election agents, and polling agents during the polling.
“The political parties, candidates, voters, and election agents shall not propagate any opinion, or act in any manner prejudicial to the glory of Islam and ideology of Pakistan, or sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality or public order, or the integrity or independence of the Parliament, the judiciary of Pakistan, or which defames or brings into ridicule of the Parliament, judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan,” said the notification.
It added that as per the Code of Conduct, the political parties, candidates, voters, and poll agents must abide by all directions and instructions issued by the Commission regarding the smooth conduct of elections.
The ECP added that the President and Governors of the Provinces shall not take part in election campaigns relating to the Senate polls, or use their offices in any manner to influence them.
The notification states that voters should not possess a mobile phone or any other electronic device or gadget that can be used to take photographs of the marked ballot paper.
For election expenses, the notification said that candidates shall not open an exclusive account with any branch of a scheduled bank before the date fixed for scrutiny of nomination papers, and should maintain a register of receipts and expenditures.
The notification stressed 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.
Senate elections on 48 seats will take place on March 3.
