Poll panel issues rules for observers
Foreign media urged to maintain strict political impartiality at all times during election process
Foreign media and observers covering Pakistan’s elections 2018 have been advised to strictly follow the code of conduct issued by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) yesterday or risk the cancellation of their accreditation.
The ECP has issued a 16-point code of conduct for the media and international observers under which they are required to submit an official declaration to cover the general election scheduled for July 25.
The ECP directive emphasises, “Observers shall respect the sovereignty of Pakistan as well as fundamental rights and freedom of its people.”
The code of conduct stresses that foreign observers and media should maintain strict political impartiality at all times during the election process.
“They shall not exhibit any bias or preference with regard to national authorities, political parties and candidates,” it reads.
Only one international observer team and an interpreter can visit a single polling station at a given time.
Observers have been barred from questioning voters or the polling staff within the vicinity of polling stations.
The interpreters hired by the foreign observers would also have to register with ECP so as to ensure they are partial citizens and not members of any political party.
Observers will choose areas for election monitoring in consultation with the ECP and entry into areas closed due to security reasons will not be permitted.
No personal comments
The ECP has advised that accreditation cards issued by the election authority must be worn at all times.
Individual observers are not allowed to give personal comments on the election process to media and only authorised persons from observation teams are allowed to do so.
Foreigners have been asked to submit their visa applications well in time and the ECP has also clarified that observers and media persons cannot stay in the country after their visa expires.
The ECP has said that violation of the code of conduct will lead to the withdrawal of accreditation to foreign media or observer mission.
To enhance the credibility of the 2018 elections, the ECP has welcomed global election observers to monitor pre-election activities, visit polling stations on election day and check post-poll activities. But at the same time, the electoral body has issued strict guidelines.