Govt amends election code of conduct; Allows ministers to run campaigns

Islamabad: Federal government on Saturday amended a law related to the code of conduct of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), allowing ministers and parliamentarians to attend public gatherings and run poll campaigns. 

According to GNN citing its sources, the federal government has approved an ordinance, making amendments in the election commission’s code of conduct.

Reportedly, federal government has made prominent changes to election-related bills after it passed important bills including the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Second Election Amendment Bill 2021 from the joint session of the Parliament. 

It is pertinent to mention here that the ministers used to receive show-cause notices, reprimand and slap fines from electoral body over participating in the election campaign and several political parties expressed concerns over this ECP’s decorum. 

Reports quoting sources stated that the reason behind amendment in the code of conduct also cites reservations of all the political parties. 

Sources further added that the ordinance has been forwarded to the Aiwan-i-Sadr and will enforced after getting green signal from Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi.