The Election Commission of Pakistan ECP) on Friday issued the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and candidates for the Local Government Elections to the Seats of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Mayors and Deputy Mayors in the Local Government Institutions of Punjab.
The ECP has stated that there will be complete ban on carrying mobile phone inside the premises of polling stations on December 22, 2016 and Returning Officer concerned shall be responsible to ensure the same.
The Returning Officer shall take personal pain to ensure secrecy of vote on poll date and in case the same is breached upon, immediate legal action be taken as per Section 55 or 56 of the Punjab Local Government Act, 2013.
No MNA/MPA shall be permitted to visit the premises of polling stations by the Returning Officer. Any violation of the same shall be immediately reported by the DEC concerned along with his recommendations for punitive action against the violators and the Returning Officer.
The ECP has instructed each District Returning Officer to ensure fool proof security arrangements at least one day before the poll day and in this regard, a meeting shall be held with the DPO concerned.
No un-authorized person shall be permitted to enter the outer gate of such building that has been declared as polling station for the purpose of election and the limit of restriction of polling canvassing of within a radius of 200 meters of the polling station as provided in Section 52 of the Punjab Local Government Act, 2013 shall be strictly followed.
The ECP stressed that there will be strict observance to the Code of Conduct and any violation thereof shall be immediately reported by the RO concerned to the DRO/DEC concerned.
The ECP has expressed hope that the instructions will be followed in letter and spirit.
