ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission in line with the Supreme Court directives has approved and issued code of conduct for candidates contesting national and provincial assemblies elections.

According to a press release of the commission‚ it will ensure that all elections are conducted in an honest and fair manner in accordance with the law.

It will be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and in the Provinces to assist the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission in discharge of his or their functions.

According to Code of Conduct none of the contesting candidates shall exceed the limit of election expenses of one million and five hundred thousand rupees.

Car rallies will not be allowed to travel long distances except if they have pre-arranged corner meetings at specific designated places. These meetings shall be notified to the ordinary public by the local administration. The local administration must also ensure that all candidates are accommodated indiscriminately.

No person or a political party shall affix posters‚ hoardings or banners larger than the prescribed sizes.

No person or a political party shall hoist or fix party flags on any public property or at any public place. Wall chalking as part of an election campaign shall be prohibited in all forms.

Loudspeakers shall not be used for election campaign except at the election meetings.

Establishment of camps near the polling stations on the polling day by the political parties‚ the contesting candidates or their supporters will be banned.

No political party or a contesting candidate or an election agent or their supporters shall use any vehicle to convey to or from the polling station any elector except himself and members of his immediate family.

A three members' teams‚ one of whom shall be a professional cameraman with a video camera‚ shall monitor the election process. It shall report to the Provincial Election Commissioner concerned on daily basis. The Local Administration will provide necessary security to each team during their monitoring in the constituency.

Any violation of the code of conduct will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution‚ the law and the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. (Online)