The Election Commission has issued a proposed code of conduct for general elections containing 88 points. According to the issued code of conduct, the president, prime minister, ministers and public officials will not be able to participate in the election campaign, while senators and local government representatives will be able to conduct election campaign and announcements of development schemes will be banned.
According to the Election Commission, there will be a ban on talking and campaigning against the judiciary, the ideology of Pakistan, while political parties, candidates will not give bribes, gifts, enticements and political parties will give tickets to 5 percent women candidates on general seats.
According to the code of conduct, the display of weapons in public gatherings, public gatherings, political and election campaigning from public funds and biased coverage on official media will be prohibited.
According to the Election Commission, political parties will be allowed to hold meetings subject to the administration, the use of government resources in election campaigns will be prohibited, while car rallies, communal, linguistic discussions and protests or sit-ins in front of any citizen’s house will not be allowed.
According to the code of conduct, the candidate can appoint one polling agent at each polling booth and 3 election agents for the constituency.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Ayesha Khan on the Election Commission’s Proposed Code of Conduct**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Khan, the Election Commission recently proposed a comprehensive code of conduct containing 88 points for the upcoming general elections. One of the most notable changes is the prohibition on the president, prime minister, ministers, and public officials campaigning during the elections. What are your thoughts on this regulation?
**Dr. Ayesha Khan:** This regulation is pivotal in ensuring fair play during elections. By restricting high-ranking officials from campaigning, it aims to level the electoral playing field. This might reduce the use of state resources for political gain and emphasize the importance of individual merit in elections.
**Interviewer:** The code also bans announcements of development schemes during the campaign period. How do you think this will affect voter engagement and perceptions of government performance?
**Dr. Ayesha Khan:** Banning development announcements is a controversial move. On one hand, it prevents incumbents from exploiting government initiatives for electoral gain. On the other hand, it could lead to disengagement if voters feel they aren’t being informed about how they are being served. The challenge will be to maintain transparency without crossing into political manipulation.
**Interviewer:** Another aspect is the code’s prohibition of any campaigning against the judiciary and the ideology of Pakistan. Do you believe this will limit healthy political discourse?
**Dr. Ayesha Khan:** It could have that effect. While it’s essential to uphold respect for institutions like the judiciary, political discourse should allow for constructive criticism and diverse viewpoints. If taken too far, this could stifle necessary discussions about judicial independence, which is crucial for a thriving democracy.
**Interviewer:** The regulation requiring political parties to allocate tickets to at least 5 percent women candidates is a positive move toward inclusivity. However, do you believe this is enough to ensure adequate female representation?
**Dr. Ayesha Khan:** While the initiative is commendable, 5 percent is merely a starting point. To achieve true gender equality in politics, we ought to consider more substantial measures, like mandatory quotas or specific policies aimed at encouraging women’s active participation in politics beyond mere candidacy.
**Interviewer:** With the code imposing strict limits on public gatherings and the use of government resources in election campaigns, do you think these measures will deter political rallies effectively?
**Dr. Ayesha Khan:** These restrictions might help minimize disorder and the misuse of public resources. However, they could also prompt frustration among political parties who rely on rallies for visibility and support. We might see a shift to more creative and perhaps less transparent campaigning methods as parties look for ways around these restrictions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Khan. For our readers, what do you think about the proposed code of conduct? Is it a step towards fair elections, or do you believe it may impose undue restrictions on political expression? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
