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ECP directs authorities to strictly ensure Code of Conduct
ISLAMABAD: Taking serious notice of various complaints received from contesting candidates, political parties and individuals about irregularities in the constituencies where bye-elections are going to be held on December 4, 2012, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday directed all the concerned authorities to strictly ensure implementation of Code of Conduct in letter and spirit.
The ECP also directed the concerned authorities including the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, DCOs and DPOs of Punjab province to ensure that no government machinery/state resources shall be used in electoral campaign activities in favour of any candidate.
The ECP also issued separate letters In this regard to all the concerned authorities directing that any violation of ECPs Code of Conduct might be looked into to ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent bye-elections.
The ECP sent copies of all the complaints to the concerned authorities asking them to probe into the matter and submit with it (ECP) a comprehensive report of the actions so far taken in this regard. They have also been warned that in this connection any deviation may entail legal consequences.
The ECP reminded that, as envisaged under Article 220 of the Constitution, it is the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and Provinces to assist the Commission in the discharge of its duties. Therefore, it said all the executive authorities in the Federation and in the Provinces shall ensure that there is no use of State resources for unfair advantage of a particular candidate or political party and they shall not exercise undue influence affecting the interest of a candidate or party for participating in any election.
Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC), Punjab has also been directed to ensure that such complaints shall not be repeated in future as the ECP is committed to take all possible steps to redress the concerns of any complainant and to ensure that the bye-elections are conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that the corrupt practices are guarded against.
It is pertinent to mention here that bye-elections in NA-107 Gujrat-IV, NA-162 Sahiwall-III, PP-26 Jehlum-III, PP-92 Gujranwala-II, and PP-122 Sialkot-II are scheduled to be held on December 4, 2012.
PPI
Courtesy www.geo.tv