Tag: Code of Conduct

  • General elections 2024: Candidates allowed to spend up to Rs10 million on campaigns

    General elections 2024: Candidates allowed to spend up to Rs10 million on campaigns

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently finalised the Code of Conduct for political parties in preparation for the upcoming general elections in 2024.

    In a collaborative effort with political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan has meticulously drafted the code of conduct, incorporating valuable suggestions from various political entities.

    According to reliable sources, the code includes provisions preventing political parties from undermining the sovereignty of Pakistan during the election campaign.
    Additionally, parties are expected to refrain from disparaging the ECP in the course of their campaigns.

    The code of conduct emphasises ethical practices, urging political parties and candidates to abstain from offering gifts, inducements, or bribes to encourage the withdrawal of other candidates.

    Ensuring the safety of election staff and polling agents is paramount, as outlined in the draft.
    A noteworthy feature of the code is the commitment to implementing a 5 per cent women’s quota in the upcoming general elections in 2024. This underscores the importance of gender inclusivity in the political landscape.

    The code unequivocally discourages violence on polling day, strictly prohibiting the display of weapons during election campaigns.
    Aerial shootings and the use of firecrackers in public gatherings are also prohibited, promoting a peaceful electoral environment.

    Addressing the eligibility of election agents, the code stipulates that the appointed agent must be a registered voter in the relevant constituency.

    Furthermore, financial regulations have been established, allowing National Assembly candidates a spending limit of up to Rs10 million for their election campaigns, while Provincial Assembly candidates are capped at a maximum of Rs4 million.

    In adherence to transparency, successful candidates are required to submit detailed reports of their election expenses to returning Officers, fostering accountability in the electoral process.

    The comprehensive nature of the Code of Conduct reflects the Election Commission’s commitment to conducting fair, transparent, and violence-free elections in 2024.

  • Bilawal says Imran can talk to terrorists but not lawmakers, urges politicians to unite

    Bilawal says Imran can talk to terrorists but not lawmakers, urges politicians to unite

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday urged all political parties to come to a single page to overcome the crises that the country is facing right now.

    Bilawal claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s and his party’s inability to take matters seriously was damaging not only for the Opposition but also for the entire country and democracy.

    “He [PTI chief Imran Khan] says that he can sit with terrorists for talks but not with parliamentarians,” said Bilawal.

    “We [all political parties] will have to unite on a minimum common agenda to rid the nation of crisis,” the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman said while addressing the inaugural event of his party’s initiative to celebrate 2023 as the Golden Jubilee Year of the Constitution.

    “If all political parties agree on a Code of Conduct, we can overcome the crisis and chart a path to progress,” he added.

    “But if every party decides it will neither play nor allow others to play, the nation will be the ultimate loser,” warned Bilawal.

    Emphasizing that this is the last chance for political parties to save the country, Bilawal said that if they failed to do so, history won’t be kind to them.

    Speaking to Dawn, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said, “I won’t rule out the possibility of my party’s participation in any dialogue proposed by Bilawal. But I advise him not to become a part of the government’s ‘unconstitutional’ acts”.

    Fawad further said that the establishment and all political parties must sit together and give some space to each other.

  • Trouble for IK as ECP imposes fine on him for holding jalsa in Peshawar

    Trouble for IK as ECP imposes fine on him for holding jalsa in Peshawar

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has imposed a fine of Rs.50,000 on Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan, and other party leaders.

    The fine was imposed on them for violating the code of conduct issued for the upcoming by-elections by participating in a rally in Peshawar despite the commission’s warning.

    On September 6, PTI held a rally in the provincial capital Immediately after Imran’s arrival on stage, YouTube’s access in the country appeared blocked or greatly slowed down.

    Following the violation, District Monitoring Officer (DMO), Peshawar, Shahabuddin, had served notices to Khan, the Chief Minister and others, seeking an explanation. They appeared before the DMO and submitted written replies.

    However, the DMO deemed the reply unsatisfactory and imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on each of the leaders, directing them to deposit the fine to the state exchequer by September 18.

    It is pertinent to mention that a day before the Peshawar rally, the DMO had asked PTI not to attend the rally and warned of legal action.

    Another PTI rally is scheduled to be held in Charsadda on September 17 and for that, the commission sent letters to the KP governor and chief minister asking them not to attend it.

    This is not the first time that a fine has been imposed on PTI leaders. In March, ECP slapped a fine of Rs50,000 on Imran Khan, CM Mahmood Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and others for violating the code of conduct as they all attended a public gathering in Swat on March 16 ahead of the no-confidence motion.

  • Election Commission summons PM Khan for violating code of conduct in Dir

    Election Commission summons PM Khan for violating code of conduct in Dir

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notices to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) officials on Friday for attending an election rally in Lower Dir in violation of the ECP code of conduct.

    The ECP Lower Dir district monitoring officer (DMO) issued notices to PTI  officials for speaking at a public rally in transgression of the amended code of conduct.

    In the notice, DMO Hamidullah recommended that PM Khan cancels his plans, and now he has summoned him to appear before him on March 14 in person or through counsel, along with a written declaration in his defence.

    “It was conveyed to you that public office holder including prime minister cannot participate in election campaign or canvass in any local council or announce any development scheme after issuance of election schedule,” read the notice served to the prime minister.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Shah Farman, Chief Minister (CM) Mehmood Khan, federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Pervez Khattak, and Murad Saeed were among those who received notices from the ECP.

  • Court directs judicial officers to avoid using social media

    Court directs judicial officers to avoid using social media

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a code of conduct for judicial officers across Punjab, directing them to avoid using social media, reports Dawn.

    The instructions come days after Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti took oath as the 51st LHC chief justice.

    The court has taken notice of those displaying misconduct and asked officials to adhere to the given instructions.

    “A judicial officer is supposed to lead a reserved social life, therefore, he should avoid using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and such other social media applications,” the order said.

    It also barred judicial officers from being included in “unofficial WhatsApp groups” and other “social media modes”, along with sharing of “privileged” information. The use of mobile phones during court hours, apart from during intervals, was also prohibited.

    “Keeping and displaying a blue light on an official or private vehicle of any judicial officer, or putting green plates on private vehicles shall also amount to misconduct and shall be strictly dealt with.”

    It added that judicial officers were bound to strictly observe punctuality and wear an official uniform.

    The court warned that if a judicial officer is found violating the instructions issued, strict disciplinary action will be taken and the misconduct would also be added to their personal file, which will be considered during the time of their promotion.