ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) prepared amendments to tighten rules in connection with code of conduct for polls. According to documents, violation of election code of conduct and non-payment of fines will result in confiscation of properties. Commission proposed important changes in Election Rules. According to proposal, those who violate code may be arrested for non-payment of fine and their properties be auctioned off. Violators of code will be taken into custody for 10 days without being sent to jail. If they still do not pay fine within 10 days, they will be sent to jail for month, according to proposed rule. If fine is not paid despite being sent to jail, their immovable properties can be seized and auctioned off.

Proposed rule states that non-payment of fines will attract penalties under Land Revenue Act, 1967. District returning officer will be able to impose penalties under Section 80 of Act. ECP had recently amended electoral rules making it mandatory for every polling agent to be voter of respective constituency of any assembly where an election was taking place on general seat. For this purpose, electoral body had notified insertion of an additional provision in Rule 58 of Election Rules, 2017. This rule stated: “Number of polling agents appointed at polling station by each contesting candidate under Section 77 shall not exceed number of booths set up at that polling station.”

New provision inserted by ECP, after existing one, read: “Provided that polling agent or agents so appointed under Section 77 shall be voter of constituency.” Section 77 (1) of Elections Act provides, “Contesting candidate or their election agent may, before commencement of or during poll, appoint for each polling station as many polling agents as may be prescribed and shall give notice in writing to presiding officer communicating appointment”. Section 239 of Elections Act 239 empowers the ECP to make rules. It read: “(1) Commission may, by notification in official gazette and publication on website of Commission, make rules for carrying out purposes of this act. Commission shall make rules under Subsection (1) subject to prior publication and after hearing and deciding objections or suggestions filed within fifteen days of publication.” Commission also amended the affidavit that was required to be submitted by candidates of assemblies or Senate elections. Amendment made to part D of affidavit makes it mandatory for candidates to provide details of their spouses and dependent children. These details include their names, dates of birth, computerised national identity card numbers and relation with candidate.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 26 2022

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