ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has stopped the public office-holders from using public money for campaigning before the upcoming general elections, reports a local media outlet.
All the provincial chief secretaries have been sent letters pointing out that reports from various stakeholders are being received against public office holders, including ministers, members of the national and provincial assemblies and party leaders announcing development schemes and using public money to woo voters ahead of general elections.
“Understandably development schemes such as hospitals, schools, roads, tube wells etc are executed through public money, therefore self-projection through public exchequer is by no means acceptable,” reads the letter, according to the publication.
The ECP conveys its decision to ban fixing such plaques with the names of ministers, MNAs, MPAs, chairmen and Nazims of local government or other office holders in connection with development schemes. The decision, according to the ECP, had been taken under Article 218 (3) of the Constitution in order to discourage such activities and provide a level playing field and congenial environment to all the prospective candidates and political parties before the general elections.
No publicity campaign by the government can be launched in print and electronic media with public money as well.
