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ECP may allow senators, LG representatives to campaign for their parties

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  • Public-office holders cannot participate in election campaign.
  • An assembly speaker can campaign in his own constituency only.
  • Ban on public meetings in a constituency before 48 hours of polling.

ISLAMABAD: As the country gears up for the February 8 national elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is finalising the code of conduct according to which senators and local government representatives may be allowed to campaign for their parties, reported The News on Friday.

According to the draft of the ECP guidelines, the lawmakers will have to strictly abide by the directions, instructions and regulations, and violations would result in legal consequences, including contempt proceedings under Section 10 of the Elections Act 2017.

The conduct also makes it liable for political parties, candidates and election agents to restrain their workers from exerting undue pressure on print and electronic media, including newspapers’ offices and printing presses, or resorting to violence against journalists.

The electoral watchdog has also suggested a complete ban on carrying and displaying all kinds of weapons and firearms in public meetings, processions, polling day and until 24 hours after the returning officers have consolidated the official results.

Violation will be treated as an illegal practice. The condition will not apply to guards of political parties’ leaders or candidates, but they will need a valid license for carrying weapons and prior permission from the authority concerned.

All types of firing, including aerial firing, use of crackers or other explosives at public meetings and at or near polling stations by any person, has been prohibited.

The public-office holders — president, prime minister, Senate chairman/deputy chairman, assembly speaker/deputy speaker, federal ministers, ministers of state, governors, chief ministers, provincial ministers, advisors to the PM, mayor/chairman/nazim and their deputies — cannot participate in the election campaign in any manner. The restriction will also be applicable to the caretaker setup.

An assembly speaker can campaign in his own constituency if he is a candidate, however, he will not use official protocol/resources.

There will be a complete ban on convening, holding or attending any public meeting, or promoting or joining in any procession, within the area of a constituency before 48 hours of the conclusion of polling. All election campaigns would have to be concluded before the said hours.

A political party needs to take necessary steps to keep discipline within the party, its candidates, employees and supporters and guide them to follow the laws and regulations.

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PTI suggests resuming talks with government over judicial commission issue.

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Barrister Gohar, Chairman of the PTI, has claimed that the party’s founder has suspended negotiations, emphasizing that the government should declare the commission within seven days.

He emphasized the PTI’s openness to rethink if the government makes headway and establishes the commission.

Barrister Gohar told the reporters, “Seven days were enough to announce the commission.” We are ready to reconsider, but the government must first announce the commission.”

He stated that the PTI approached the negotiations with an open mind. “The PTI founder has halted the negotiations. “The government had eight laws on their agenda, while we only had two demands,” he stated.

The PTI chairman went on to say that even after seven days, no progress had been made in forming the commission. He encouraged the government to reconsider the decision and proceed with the announcement.

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PTI will declare February 8 to be “Black Day,” sparking protests across the country.

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According to reports, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to hold rallies nationwide on Wednesday in support of its decision to declare February 8, the one-year anniversary of the general elections, a black day.

According to media sources, PTI founder Imran Khan has instructed all party lawmakers—including MPAs and MNAs—to plan and take part in demonstrations in their local communities on February 8 in order to draw attention to their complaints and issues.

In a recent meeting with legal advisors on Wednesday, Imran Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram. The meeting emphasized the importance of party discipline and gave stern directives to abstain from any criticism of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the JUI-F.

It has also been suggested that the PTI engage opposition leaders in the demonstrations in order to win their support.

Party insiders revealed that the founder has urged leaders to ensure effective coordination and mobilised efforts in preparation for February 8.

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In 13 cases involving the D-Chowk demonstration, Bushra Bibi granted temporary release until February 7.

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Bushra Bibi, the wife of the PTI chairman, was granted temporary release by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in 13 counts pertaining to the November 26 D-Chowk protest. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered the police to produce all pertinent documentation by February 7 and granted bail against surety bonds of Rs. 5,000 apiece.

Additionally, Bushra Bibi was given temporary release until February 7 in the Rangers’ accident case. During the hearing, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra expressed disappointment over the behavior of the defense counsel on two occasions. Addressing the lawyers, he remarked, “You demand VIP protocol everywhere, but this is not possible. Prepare your files properly before coming to court.”

Three cases at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla, Karachi Company, and Ramna Police Stations, and one each at the Tarnol, Kohsar, Aabpara, and Khanna Police Stations are among the numerous charges against Bushra Bibi.

In addition, the judge chastised the defense team for requesting that Bushra Bibi sign and thumbprint blank documents. He said, “The accused must sign and thumbprint the court orders, not blank sheets.”

Bushra Bibi also went to the Islamabad High Court to have her biometrics verified in relation to her appeal to be exonerated in the Toshakhana-II case. On Monday, Bushra Bibi and the PTI chairman submitted their acquittal petitions. After finishing the biometric procedure, she departed right away.

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