Interim Sindh govt issues electioneering guidelines

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An election worker counts ballots at a polling station for Pakistan's general elections in Lahore February 18, 2008. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen (PAKISTAN)

KARACHI: The caretaker Sindh home ministry on Tuesday issued the code of conduct as well as the guidelines for campaigning ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled to be held on July 25.

As per the directives issued here, the interim government would neither allow hate speech in public rallies, nor would it permit anyone to instigate violence during the election campaign.

“Zero-tolerance policy will be followed in this regard, and strict legal action will be taken in case of violation,” said the directives and added that the caretaker setup would not allow any party to use state’s property for political canvassing.

Moreover, all political players have been obligated to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from district SSPs for all corner meeting and small public rallies.

“The permission for bigger public rallies should also be sought from the DC three days prior to its schedule.”

The parties have to inform about the time and route of their rally in order to ensure vehicular traffic flow.

The interim government has stated that political parties are responsible for the security of their leadership, and a special committee would be constituted for the leaders who are facing death threats.

The home ministry allowed political leaders to have private security guards for their security; however, their weapons must be registered at the concerned police station and SSP of the district.

It is mandatory on the political parties to record their corner meetings, and on the organiser to submit it in police station.