Daily Times

A meeting regarding the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was held at Sindh Secretariat on Thursday.

The meeting was presided over by Home Secretary Haroon Ahmed Khan and it was attended by heads of all political parties.

According to the home secretary, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss important points regarding the upcoming elections. He told the participants that ECP’s code of conduct was a result of mutual consensus and mutual acceptance of all political parities on national grounds so all political parties should abide by the rules and regulations given in the code of conduct of election commission.

“All political parties district heads of administration, district Police, district Election Office and district polling staff, should interact and coordinate accordingly for better performance of election process,” said Secretary Home.

AIGP Muhstaq Mehar said that everyone should follow and act upon the rules and regulations issued by the ECP. He said that according to the code of conduct, no political party was allowed to put their flags, banners and panaflex on any government buildings.

He added that all political parties should appoint a focal person who looks after and manage the rally so that no common citizen of the area will suffer any kind of misconduct or problem. He said that roads should not be blocked for citizens during rally.

AIGP Mushtaq Mehar further said that all political parties were bound to take permission for their corner meetings at least 24 hours before they were scheduled. He said that rally permission should be taken at least 3 days earlier.

AIGP Mushtaq Mehar listened to the reservations put forth by members of various parties and addressed them. He assured the party heads that the election process would go smoothly.

During the meeting, Provincial Election Commissioner Muhammad Yousuf Khan Khattak informed the heads of political parties that the Election Commission of Pakistan was making efforts to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. He said that in this regard assistance had been sought from Pakistan Army, Rangers and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). Secretary Home Haroon Ahmed Khan ended the meeting with vote of thanks.

Published in Daily Times, July 7^th 2018.