(IMPLEMENTATION OF CODE OF CONDUCT)
OFFICE OF THEPROVINCIAL ELECTION COMMISSIONER (SINDH)
Pakistan Sectt: Block No.44-A: Shahrah-e-Iraq
Karachi the 21st July, 2005
Sub: “IMPLEMENTATION OF CODE OF CONDUCT TO BE MADE IN LETTER AND SPIRIT”- CHIEF ELECTION
COMMISSIONER…..
In order to ensure the implementation of the Code of Conduct during Local Government Elections, 2005, a meeting was convened today under the chairmanship of acting Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Judge , Supreme Court of Pakistan. Member Election Commission Punjab and Sindh were also present. The meeting was also attended by Secretary, Election Commission, Chief Secretary, Provincial Election Commissioner, Provincial Police Officer and other senior officers of provincial government. All the District Returning Officers of the districts of phase one attended the meeting.
The Chief Election Commissioner stressed that the Code of Conduct for contesting candidates for the Local Government Elections, 2005 must be implemented in letter & spirit. The Chief Election Commissioner reiterated that with the passage of first activity of filing of nomination papers, the election tempo is gaining momentum and it has become imperative for all government machinery to ensure that Code of Conduct is executed across the board as maintenance of Law & Order Situation is a provincial subject.
The Chief Election Commissioner expressed that conduct of elections in a just, free , fair and transparent manner mainly depends upon the performance of District Returning Officers, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers. The Election Commission can achieve the target of fair elections if Code of Conduct is implemented in its true essence.
Earlier, Kanwar Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission, in his introductory remarks enumerated the objectives of the meeting and expressed that the meeting has been convened to review the arrangements regarding Local Government Elections 2005 which are being conducted in 54 districts in the country in the first phase. He highlighted the arrangements made for conducting the elections in a transparent manner with special reference to the application of Code of Conduct and law & order situation in Karachi. He further informed that a large number of international observers from Commonwealth , European Union , USA and SAARC countries will be visiting Pakistan to observe Local Government Elections.
Various matters of administrative nature also came under discussion. The overall law and order situation with special emphasis on Karachi also come under discussion.
A detailed presentation was made by the Home Secretary and Provincial Police Officer about the deployment of forces at the polling stations. The Chief Election Commissioner directed the provincial government to expedite all the references pending with them within a week. The District Returning Officers presented the overall position with regard to nomination process and informed that due to extension of timings up to 12.00 midnight, the whole process of nomination went smoothly.