By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan has unveiled a draft poll code that limits expenditure by political parties and also bars government spending on advertisements.
The Election Commission has circulated the draft among the 90 political parties registered with it and asked them to send their comments and suggestions by Nov 3.
Any positive suggestions received would be incorporated in the final document, the Dawn newspaper Thursday quoted Election Commission Secretary Kanwar Dilshad as saying.
The draft pegs poll expenditure at Rs.1.5 million and Rs.1 million respectively for national and provincial assembly seats, and also bars ministers from combining official visits with election campaigning.
“Under the draft, no advertisement, notice or announcement paid for from public funds will carry explicit or implicit reference, name, designation or photograph of any public functionary or holder of a state or public office to project himself as the originator, sponsor, promoter or organiser of any scheme, project, progress, ideology or vision.
“Issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in the newspapers and other media and misuse of official mass media for partisan coverage of political news and publicity regarding achievements with a view to furthering the prospects of the party in power will be avoided,” Dawn said.
No individual or party will be allowed to affix posters larger than 2 ft x 3 ft, hoardings larger than 3 ft x 5 ft, banners larger than 3 ft x 9 ft and leaflets and handbills larger than nine inches x six inches.
Political parties and their candidates have been barred from holding public meetings or rallies on main streets, roads and crossings to avoid traffic jams and inconvenience to the public.
“The party or candidate shall inform the local administration of the venue and time of any proposed meeting well in time to enable police to make arrangements for controlling traffic and maintaining law and order,” Dawn said.
Political parties and candidates have been asked to restrain their workers from exerting undue pressure on the print and electronic media, including newspaper offices and printing presses, or resorting to violence of any kind against the media.
The parties and candidates have also been asked to refrain from making comments or commit any act that may prejudice Pakistan’s foreign relations.
“Controversial and harsh remarks about leaders of other countries and their ideologies shall be avoided,” Dawn said.