ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Candidates belonging to all major political parties are openly violating code of conduct announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in their election campaign all over the country.

This was stated by a report released by Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), an alliance of some 30 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) formed to monitor the electoral process.

The latest report, released on Friday, was based on the observations sent by Fafen observers from 190 constituencies of 70 districts in all the four provinces. Fafen has deployed coordinators in more than 250 National Assembly constituencies to observe all aspects of election process.

The report says that no political party is an exception when it comes to violation of the election code of conduct. It has recommended to the political parties and candidates to uphold their responsibility to campaign within the limits prescribed by the ECP at all times.

Fafen has also asked the ECP to ensure that all election-related complaints be resolved in a timely manner, according to due process of law, saying the information about full resolution of each complaint should be transparently available as a matter of public record.

Fafen observers reported that the candidates had put on display posters, banners and hoardings larger than the size allowed by the ECP.

It said in more than 50 per cent of the constituencies candidates belonging to the PML-N, PPP, PML-Q, JUI-F, MQM and ANP were committing to undertake specific projects in their constituencies after winning their seats.

The report says candidates are using private buildings or lands without seeking prior permission from owners for publicity purposes in many constituencies, which also violates the code.

Fafen observers also sent reports that in some constituencies candidates and their supporters are intimidating the owners of local printing presses, asking them not to publish the election-related materials of their rivals.

Another violation noticed by Fafen observers is the use of abusive language by the candidates against their rivals in their speeches during election-related gatherings.

The report reveals that some candidates are even issuing statements which can lead to sectarian unrest in their respective areas.

It also highlights that some candidates are violating the election code by asking women not to go for voting on the polling day. It is surprising to see the names of political parties, like PML-N, PPP, PML-Q, MQM and ANP, in the list as all these parties claim to be champions of women’s rights. However, according to Fafen report, the candidates of these parties with a liberal face are also barring women from casting votes in the February 18 election.

“In violation of the election code, candidates or their supporters are also reportedly carrying or displaying arms in public meetings and processions. PML-N candidates and their supporters are carrying weapons in processions and public meetings in 26 out of 132 constituencies, PPP in 32 out of 155, PML-Q in 35 out of 141, JUI-F in three out of 48, MQM in nine out of 58, ANP in five out of 35, PPP-S in three out of 27, and PML-F in four out of 20 constituencies.

The report is based on the observations of the coordinators based in Gujrat, Narowal, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Khushab, Sargodha, Kasur, Jhang, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Pak Pattan, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Multan, Attock, Rawalpindi, Khanewal, Lahore, Vehari, Bhakkar, Jhelum and Mianwali districts (Punjab); Kohistan, Swat, Buner, Charsadda, Mardan, Peshawar, Bannu, Haripur, Khyber Agency, Upper Dir, Battgram, Swabi, Lower Dir, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Mansehra and Nowshera (NWFP); Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Karachi West, Karachi South, Karachi East, Karachi Central, Malir, Ghotki, Matiari, Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan and Thatta (Sindh); Pishin, Lasbela, Jaffarabad, Qila Abdullah, Jhal Magsi and Qila Saifullah (Balochistan) and Islamabad.