ISLAMABAD – Election Commission of Pakistan has issued a sixteen point codeof conduct for international observers and media persons.
According to the code of conduct, the international observers shall adhereto the laws and constitution of Pakistan and respect the authority of theelection commission of Pakistan and its officials.
The observers will follow instructions issued from time to time by the ECPand other authorities including security officials and maintain arespectful attitude towards them.
The code asks the observers to maintain strict political impartialityduring the elections. They shall not exhibit any bias or preference withregard to national authorities, political parties and candidates as well asany issue related to the process of elections. They shall also notparticipate or conduct any activity that may generate an impression offavoring of oposing any political party or a candidate.
The observers will have the right to asky any question and to clear anyquery but they will not obstruct directly or indirectly any electionrelated activity.
The observers will display their official identification badges, issued bythe ECP at all times and shall present it to the electoral officials andother authorities when requested.
The observers shall ensure that their observations are impartial, objectiveand depict the highest standards of accuracy. According to the code ofconduct, any individual observer shall not make any personal comments onthe election process to the media.
Observer organizations or groups should ensure that only their authorizedpersons give commen about the election process.
The observer organizations may share their findings, methodology andrecommendations with the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The international observers intending to visit Pakistan has been asked tosubmit their visa applications well in time as per the rules laid down bythe relevant authorities. No observer shall stay in Pakistan beyond theduration of granted visa.
The ECP has also asked the observers to comply with advisories that may beissued by the government or security agencies to ensure their safety duringtheir stay in the country.
In case of violation of code of conduct, the ECP reserves the right towithdraw observer accreditation of an individual observer or an observermission. The authority to determine the violation also rests with theelection commission of Pakistan.