The electioneering campaign for the 2nd phase of local bodies' elections, being held in 56 districts including 18 of Punjab, is going to be over on Tuesday midnight amid gross violations of code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The candidates are openly showing their affiliations with political parties both in the government as well opposition. A clause of the Code, derived from Section 152 of the Local Government Ordinance 2001, restricts the candidates from showing their association/affiliation directly or indirectly with any political, religious, regional party or organisation. Besides, the local bodies' candidates can neither use the platform nor seek any kind of support from any political party.
It has been noticed that PML-backed candidates are contesting elections under the guise of 'Khushhal Pakistan Group; the PPPP-backed candidates have jumped in the ring under banner of 'Awam Dost; PML (N)-backed candidate are appearing on the name of 'Watan Nawaz whereas the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal- backed candidates are contesting with the identity of 'Watan Dost'.
Even ministers are participating in meetings of their favourite or backed candidates. The contenders have also displayed their billboards in clear violation of the Code of Conduct. But no action in this regard has so far been taken by the ECP.
Most of the PML-backed candidates are giving impression to the public that they are government's candidates and sure to win. The legal experts are of the view that the Punjab chief minister's support to district nazim candidates in various districts of the province is a clear violation of the ECP's Code of Conduct.
According to a survey, the local candidates are also violating the limits of elections' expenditures. It has been learnt that a candidate for nazim in Union Council No 2 has provided 25,900-kg of wheat to various families of his area. The setting up of election offices, serving of food and soft drinks on daily basis and printing of leaflets, stickers, banners and hiring transport are the main heads of the election expenditures.
According to the Code of Conduct, in the provinces of Punjab, NWFP and Sindh, a candidate for District Nazim can spend Rs 500,000; Town and Tehsil Nazim Rs 300,000; UC Nazim Rs 100,000, minority, women, Kissan-Mazdoor member in the district can spend up to Rs 50,000 whereas town member and union council member can spend up to Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.
Even if a candidate of UC nazim slot spends prudently on the election campaign, it amounts to Rs 500,000 but for which Election Commission has fixed only Rs 100,000 in Punjab, NWFP and Sindh. Moreover, many of the candidates are running their campaign on media through cable operators which is also restricted under the rules and regulations of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
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