Opinion from political parties to be sought: Abu Hafiz
The Election Commission on Monday started drafting the electoral code of conduct for political parties and candidates, and will complete it this week incorporating some major changes.
The drafted code of conduct will be sent to registered political parties and be uploaded on the EC’s website seek opinions.
Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz on Monday said the commission started compiling data collected from different countries to change the code of conduct with a view to ensuring a level-playing field during the election for both sitting MPs contesting the polls again and other candidates.
“It’ll take 2-3 days to complete the drafting the code of conduct as only two major changes will come in the reformed code,” he told reporters at his EC secretariat office.
The two major changes are: Defining what will be role of the government during the election and ensuring a level-playing field for both sitting MPs contesting the polls again and other candidates as parliament will be there in place during the polls.
“We’ll seek opinion on the drafted code of conduct from political parties — our main stakeholders — sending its copy to them. We’ll also upload the drafted code on the EC’s website to seek opinion from civil society and people,” he added.
“After considering the opinions, the Commission will finalise the code of conduct soon,” he noted.
The Commission mainly follows the Model Code of Conduct of neighbouring India. In addition, the codes of the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Austria are being followed, highly-placed source said.
The EC compiles data from the codes of the countries where election is held under political government.
Source: UNB Connect
