Code of conduct of Electronic media
Islamabad, the 20th November, 2007
No.F.2(19)/2007-Cord.-WHEREAS, under Article 218(3) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 read with Article 5(3) of the Election Commission Order, 2002, as amended, it is the duty of the Election Commission to organize and conduct the election and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law, and that corrupt practices are guarded against;
AND WHEREAS, under Article 220 of the Constitution it shall be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and in the Provinces to assist the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission in the discharge of his or their functions;
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to ensure that the coverage on television relating to election related activities is fair, unbiased and balanced in respect of any particular political party, candidate or a leader to enable the Election Commission to ensure that the election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that discrimination against any political party, leader or a candidate is guarded against;
AND WHEREAS, Article 6 of the Election Commission Order, 2002 empowers the Election Commission to issue such directions or orders as may be necessary for the performance of its functions and duties, including an order doing complete justice in any matter pending before it and an order for the purpose of securing the attendance of any person or the discovery or production of any document and that any such direction or order shall be enforceable throughout Pakistan and shall be executed as if it had been issued by the High Court;
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the provisions of Article 218(3), Article 220 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 read with Article 5(3) and Article 6 of the Election Commission Order, 2002, and in exercise of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Election Commission of Pakistan is pleased to direct that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) will monitor the operations of all TV Channels including State-owned TV (PTV) and ensure that coverage as to electoral activities of the Political Parties till Polling Day of the upcoming General Elections is fair, unbiased and balanced.
By Order of the Election Commission,
Sd/-
(Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad)
Secretary