ECP bars president, governors from canvassing in Senate polls.

ISLAMABAD -- The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has barred President Dr Arif Alvi and the governors of all the provinces from taking part in the campaign for the upcoming Senate polls.

'The President and Governors of the Provinces shall not take part in election campaign relating to election to the Senate in any manner whatsoever and shall not use their respective offices as well as houses in connection therewith,' reads a code of conduct for the senate polls released by the ECP on Friday.

It says the political parties, contesting candidates, election agents and voters shall not indulge in any kind of corrupt or illegal practice (as defined in Chapter-X of the Elections Act 2017). Contesting candidates, election agents and their supporters have also been warned against soliciting the support or assistance of any person in the service of Pakistan or any public office to promote or hinder the election of a contesting candidate in any manner.

'Similarly, any person in service of Pakistan shall not promote or hinder the election of a contesting candidate in any manner or render support to any candidate in any form whatsoever,' it reads.

The code says political parties, candidates, voters and election agents shall not propagate any opinion, or act in any manner prejudicial to the glory of Islam and ideology of Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality or public order, or the integrity or independence of the parliament, judiciary of Pakistan, or which defames or brings into ridicule the parliament, the judiciary or the armed forces of Pakistan.

Issues code of conduct for election, without a word on mode of polling

It also asks political parties, candidates, voters and election agents to abide by all the directives and instructions issued by the ECP, from time to time, relating to smooth conduct of elections as defined in Sections 4 and 8 of the Elections Act, 2017 and refrain from maligning the ECP in any form whatsoever.

It warns that any violation may entail contempt proceedings as contemplated in Section 10 of the Elections Act 2017.

While it is yet to be decided if the voting for the Senate polls will be open or through secret ballot, voters have been told not to carry mobile phone or other such electronic device or gadget that can be used to take photograph of the...