Daily Times

In response to allegations made on Twitter by certain political parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) regarding restrictions on their election campaign, the spokesman of the Government of Sindh clarified that caretaker government’s mandate was to facilitate the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding free and fair elections on 25th July 2018.

He said that in this regard, every candidate contesting the election, irrespective of their political party, was being provided with equal opportunity to campaign for the upcoming elections. He said that it was pertinent to ensure that the candidates were campaigning in accordance with the law and ECP’s code of conduct.

The spokesman categorically rejected the allegations that directives had been issued to restrict election campaign of particular candidates or political party. He added that all contesting candidates and parties as well as their supporters were free to carry out their campaigns and activities, but as per the code of conduct issued by ECP, which was formulated with the consensus of all the political parties.

The spokesman further stated that a formal complaint management system was in place and it was made to deal with complaints of any hurdle or restriction in the campaigns or violations of code of conduct. He said that such complaints could also be lodged with the District Monitoring Officers (DMO’s).

The spokesman advised all the candidates to approach the District Returning Officers (DRO’s) or DMOs formally, in case of any complaint. He said that the candidates should seek redressal of their grievances from the relevant forum in accordance with law.

The spokesman said that candidates who were misguiding the public through social media applications and hurling unfounded allegations against the caretaker government were violating the election laws. He advised candidates to avoid it.

“Unfortunately, it also encourages anti-state elements or undemocratic forces to take advantage and create more uncertainty to sabotage and frustrate the excellent efforts of the ECP and caretaker government to hold a free and fair election for all,” he added.

Published in Daily Times, July 14^th 2018.