ISLAMABAD - Major political parties will meet next week to discuss a draft Code of Conduct prepared by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for free and fair General Elections in 2018.

The crucial meeting convened by the Election Commission of Pakistan on October 28 will discuss threadbare the proposed draft.

Representatives of nineteen major political parties will participate to give their input on the proposed Code.

The proposed draft envisages commitment on the part of political parties and candidates to uphold the rights and freedom of people as guaranteed by the Constitution and law.

It seeks the political parties and candidates not to propagate any opinion, or act in any manner prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan.

Under the proposed Code, there would be complete ban on all kind of campaign and canvassing and persuading voters for votes, soliciting of votes, not to vote in the election or canvassing for a particular candidate on election day.

Incitement to violence or resort to violence during corner meetings or during polling hours would avoid by contesting candidates and their supporters.

During election campaign, there would be complete ban on billboards, hoardings, banners, panaflexes, posters, flyers, all kinds of wall-chalking, public meetings, processions, use of loudspeakers and car rallies. Only corner meetings and use of megaphone will be permissible with prior permission of district administration.

Under the draft code, criticism of other political parties and candidates would be confined to their policies and programmes, past record and work.

All candidates would be bound to open a specific account in any scheduled bank for election related expenditure or collection of donation and subscription.         Meanwhile, the Election Commission, under Section 26 of the Representation of the People Act, 1976, yesterday unveiled plans to hold bye-election in constituency No. NA-258 Karachi-XX on November 22.

According to ECP, the polling shall be held from 08:00am to 05:00pm, without any interval.