September 10, 2002	Tuesday	Rajab 2, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 9: The Election Commission said on Monday that it had neither interfered nor had any intention to interfere with the election campaign of the political parties.

“The Election Commission has neither interfered nor has any intention whatsoever to interfere with the election campaigns of the political parties,” said an EC announcement.

The Election Commission, which met here on Monday, said it has issued a Code of Conduct which is self-contained and does not call for any further clarification.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Irshad Hasan Khan.

The EC said maintenance of law and order was the exclusive function and responsibility of the provincial governments, the ministry of interior and the authorities in the tribal areas in their respective jurisdictions.

The commission reviewed the arrangements made so far regarding conduct of the forthcoming elections and expressed its satisfaction.

The EC decided that polling for the general election would be held from 8am to 5pm without any break. It advised the polling agents of the candidates to reach the polling stations at least one hour before the start of the voting to enable themselves to observe the proceedings at the start of the poll.

The EC directed the presiding officers to ensure that empty ballot boxes were shown invariably to the polling agents present at the polling station.

The EC further said if at any stage it was found by an appropriate forum through appropriate proceedings that any candidate produced a fake or bogus bachelor’s degree in any discipline or any degree, which was not recognized by the University Grants Commission, he will stand disqualified from being member of the assembly.