September 23, 2002	Monday	Rajab 15, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 22: The Election Commission on Sunday once again asked the political parties and all the contesting candidates to abide by the code of conduct already issued by the commission in this regard to ensure smooth, peaceful and orderly election campaign for the forthcoming general election.

Chief Election Commissioner Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan (retired) referring to already issued 22-point code of conduct for the political parties expressed hope that implementation on this code of conduct would ensure decency, respect for opponents and peaceful election campaign for the forthcoming elections.

The code of conduct already approved by the commission, was issued on July 5 to seek public opinion and for effective and meaningful consultations with the political parties and then it was finalized keeping in view the proposals received from various political parties.

STATMENTS OF ACCOUNTS: The Election Commission which gave additional days to seven political parties to submit their statements of accounts duly certified by chartered accountants will decide the fate of these parties on Monday. An spokesman for the Election Commission told APP that on the request of some of the parties, the commission had given one more chance to these parties to submit the statements of their accounts by Sept 23.

The seven political parties namely, Jamote Qaumi Movement, Kakar Jamhoori Party Pakistan, Pakistan Awami Quwwat Party, Pakistan Brohi Party, Pakistan Jamhoori Aman Party, Pakistan Progressive Party and Tehreek Wafaq Pakistan are facing disqualification if they do not submit duly certified statements of their accounts.

These parties have so far failed to submit their statements of accounts and now the commission has decided to give them another chance to submit their statements by Sept 23, failing which the symbols allotted to them will automatically stand withdrawn without any further notice or proceedings.

These parties then will be disqualified and cannot participate in the forthcoming general election.

POSTAL BALLOT: The Election Commission on Sunday explained that the polling staff and police personnel who have been assigned duties at the polling stations are advised to apply for postal ballot by Sept 30.

An spokesman for the Election Commission told APP that applications for postal ballot should be made on prescribed form with the returning officer of the constituency in which such persons are enrolled as voters.

Application forms for postal ballot can be obtained from any returning officer.

The voters to whom postal ballots are issued will not be entitled to vote in person at the polling stations.

The application should be forwarded/endorsed by the office/department of the voter concerned to guard against unauthorized person applying for postal ballot.—APP