Election authorities have banned news channels from airing any unofficial poll results while counting is underway.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had already issued a code of conduct for media, but it was never followed. This time the ECP has directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to monitor any such activity, and penalise media outlets which violate the rule.
“Secretary ECP has directed to enforce code of conduct for media under which no channel can air unofficial results before the results are announced by the returning officer,” said the ECP in a statement on Monday.
“PEMRA will monitor and penalise media channels for any violation.”
The directives come ahead of the upcoming local government polls in Sindh and Punjab. Polling for the first phase of local body elections will be held on October 31.
The ECP has requested Parliament to give legal cover to its code of conduct since the commission lacks any power to punish violators.
