The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued special directives for political parties regarding polling day activities, ahead of the general elections scheduled for February 8th. In its announcement, the ECP emphasized that political parties would not be allowed to conduct any sort of campaign within a radius of 400 meters around polling stations on election day.
Furthermore, within these boundaries, voters will be strictly prohibited from being persuaded or influenced regarding their decision to cast or abstain from casting their votes. According to the directives, at polling stations situated in rural areas, the distance between political party camps and the polling stations will be 400 meters, while in urban areas with dense populations, this distance will be reduced to 100 meters.
The ECP’s directives also extend to the behavior of voters within these prescribed distances. Any attempt to sway or intimidate voters in favor or against a particular candidate by displaying banners, flags, or symbols will be strictly prohibited. The aim is to ensure a fair and unbiased electoral process where voters can freely exercise their democratic rights without undue influence.
Additionally, the ECP has tasked the District Returning Officers (DROs) and the Regional Police Department with ensuring the implementation of these directives. Any violation of these directives will be deemed illegal, and stringent legal action will be taken against offenders.
The deployment of military forces in various cities across Punjab, including Lahore, for the general elections underscores the seriousness with which the ECP is approaching the issue of maintaining law and order during the electoral process. This proactive stance aims to instill confidence in voters and political stakeholders that the elections will be conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
By issuing these directives, the ECP is demonstrating its commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the electoral process remains free from external influences or manipulation. It is imperative for all stakeholders, including political parties, voters, and law enforcement agencies, to adhere to these directives to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and safeguard the democratic rights of the citizens of Pakistan.
