ECP Issues Extensive 80-Point Code of Conduct for General Elections

The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued an 80-point code of conduct for the 2024 general elections, covering various aspects of the electoral process. The key points are categorized under seven major headings:

1. General Conduct:
   • Parties, candidates, or agents should not act in a way prejudicial to the integrity and sovereignty of the country or defame the armed forces or judiciary.
   • No gifts or inducements should be used to prevent a candidate from contesting or withdrawing.
   • No formal or informal agreements should exclude any gender group from the voting process.
   • Parties should cooperate with law enforcement, ensuring no destruction of ballots.
   • Candidates should not enlist the help of any public official.
   • There should be no incitement to violence on or before polling day.
2. Campaign:
   • Political parties, candidates, and election agents must restrain their workers from influencing the media.
   • Certain high-ranking officials are prohibited from participating in the election campaign.
   • A complete ban on public meetings or processions 48 hours after polls end.
3. Publicity:
   • No political party shall run a publicity campaign at the cost of public funds.
   • Distribution of voter’s perchee at the polling station is allowed, but candidate and party names on the perchee are prohibited.
   • Strict guidelines on sizes for posters, handbills, banners, and portraits.
   • Prohibition on affixing posters on public places and using religious content on publicity materials.
4. Meetings/Processions:
   • Organizers must arrange for the smooth passage of processions to avoid traffic blockage.
   • Coordination required for overlapping processions by different parties.
   • Bans on effigies, vehicles/car rallies, and announcements of development schemes.
5. Polling Day:
   • Agents should display ID cards and cooperate with officials.
   • Complete ban on campaigning within a 400-meter radius of a polling station.
   • No interference in the official functioning of the polling station.
   • Strict control on entry without valid passes.
6. Additional:
   • General public expected to assist the Election Commission in implementing the code of conduct.
   • Bribery, personation, undue influence, and other violations can lead to legal action.
7. For Polling Agents:
   • Agents should not solicit votes in the vicinity of the polling station.
   • Agents can raise objections on voter eligibility.
   • Awareness of laws regarding assistance to voters.
   • No unnecessary accusations against the presiding officer.

The Election Commission emphasizes public cooperation, adherence to rules, and legal consequences for electoral misconduct.