News
Thursday, April 18, 2013
ECP takes bans to the next level* Commission announces three-year term for those seeking votes on religious, sectarian grounds
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that candidates who seek votes on the basis of religion or ethnicity will be sentenced to three years in prison.
The ECP, in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, said that prison terms would also be handed to candidates who use bribery as a means to gain votes. “Three-year jail terms will also be awarded for casting fake votes and stopping others from voting.”
It said that transporting individuals to polling stations other than family members is also prohibited, and candidates who violated these instruction would also be awarded three-year jail terms.
Presiding officers have been given on-the-spot authority to take action against those violating these laws. Moreover, on the polling day, police can make arrests with a warrant on the directives of the presiding officers.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan has directed the contesting candidates to submit their party-ticket certificates by today (Thursday).
According to reports, the commission will consider as “independent” the candidate failing to produce party ticket.
Moreover, the candidates can also withdraw their nomination papers by today. The ECP said it would publish the final list of candidates of National and provincial assemblies tomorrow (Friday).
According to the election schedule, 10 election tribunals were assigned to dispose of appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers of all candidates by April 17. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk