ECP issues code of conduct for NA-120 by-polls

LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued directions on Wednesday that the executive authorities in the federation and in the province will not use state resources for advantage of a particular candidate or political party in the constituency NA-120 where by-polls are going to be held on September 17.

The ECP gave the directives in a code of conduct issued for political parties and candidates for by-election in constituency NA-120, the seat which got vacant after the disqualification of former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.

The ECP has warned that if any person in service of Pakistan misused his official position in any manner amounting to influence the result of the election, he/she might be tried by a sessions court as contemplated under Section 95 of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) 1976, and if proved guilty, he/she could face a jail term up to two years.

The ECP in its code of conduct has barred the incumbent prime minister, chief minister, federal ministers, state ministers, advisers to the president and the prime minister, provincial ministers and advisers to the chief minister from visiting the constituency, NA-120, as the schedule has been announced.

The ECP has also categorically stated that the public office holders and their advisers and any person on their behalf will not visit the constituency after the issuance of the by-polls schedule.

The public office holders and their affiliated persons will not announce any development project in the constituency during the election process, the ECP said.

The ECP warned that those violating the code of conduct would face charges under Article 204 of the constitution read with Section 103-A of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), 1976. 

The ECP had already announced the schedule for by-polls in the constituency NA-120. The aspiring candidates can file their nomination papers from August 10 to Aug 12 and their scrutiny will take place between August 15 to Aug 17. Appeals can be filed against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers by August 21.

The last date for the Appellate Tribunal to decide filed appeals is August 24 while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by August 25. The RO will publish revised list of candidates on August 26. The by-polls will be held on September 17, 2017.