Political Leaders For Implementing Elections Code Of Conduct In True Spirit

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jul, 2018 ) :The major political parties of the country Tuesday underlined the need to build voters' confidence for increased turnout in upcoming polls urging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to follow the code of conduct in true letter and spirit.

They expressed confidence that the ECP would provide a level playing field to all contesting candidates, besides ensuring the rule of law.

"The ECP should work out a comprehensive plan to hold impartial election across the country," Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafar ul Haq said.

"A delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-N recently visited the ECP headquarters and asked for a level playing field for all political parties to dispel the impression of unnecessary obstacles in the way of politicians." Raja said he was assured by the Commission in that regard, adding, "An impartial ECP can only build voters' confidence and increase their turnover in the upcoming election." Pakistan Peoples Party's Senator Farooq H Naik stressed that the ECP must adhere to the code of conduct issued by it to avoid rigging in the upcoming election. The Commission should introduce a system enabling the polling officers and returning officers to check the originality of voters in order to discourage the common practice of bogus voting.

"The Computerized National Identity Cards must be checked properly and if a polling agent raises any objection, the matter must be resolved at the spot," he added.

Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf's candidate for NA-125, was of the view that the ECP must stand firm and "call a spade a spade by punishing the wrongdoers.

" Yasmeen said the ECP should also make some transfers and posting in district administrations at the grassroots level, especially those who were likely to be appointed as polling officers and agents as it reshuffled bureaucracy at provincial and federal levels.

"The Commission and interim government have to play pro-active role to avoid any kind of polls rigging," she added.

Meanwhile, ECP's spokesperson Altaf Khan claimed that the holding of election in a country is considered to be the biggest logistic activity for which every stakeholder should come forward and play due role to ensure a free, fair and impartial election.

"The Commission cannot go in every area for the redressal of complaints so for this the executive has to participate actively to conduct the electoral process in a transparent manner," Altaf said.

He quoted Article 220 of the Constitution in this regard, which says, "It shall be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and in the provinces to assist the Commissioner and the Election Commission in the discharge of his or their functions."Enlightening about the pro-active approach of the commission to avoid the violation of the ECP's rules and regulations regarding the electoral process, he said the department had formed as many as 492 monitoring teams to monitor election campaign across the country.

Explaining the provinces and federation wise constitution of the teams, he said 297 teams had been formed in Punjab, 130 in Sindh, 99 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 51 in Balochistan, 12 in Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and three in the Federal Capital.