KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan has barred media from telecasting or publishing the results of coming local government elections in Sindh, except those officially issued by the presiding officer, returning officer or the ECP.

A code of conduct issued by the commission for the electronic and print media has also restrained them from telecasting or publishing anything that adversely affects public opinion about a particular party or candidate.

“All media personnel covering the local government elections in Sindh shall follow the code of conduct in letter and in spirit,” says the code issued under Rule3 of the Sindh Local Councils (Election) Rules.

It further states: “The print and electronic media shall refrain from disseminating any information about a political party or candidate which is not supported by cogent evidence. Due care shall also be exercised by them to ascertain veracity of any information or news relating to a candidate before its telecast, broadcast or publishing.

“The print and electronic media shall broadcast, telecast or publish only authentic election results officially issued by the presiding officer, returning officer or the Election Commission. Any remarks about personal life of any candidate shall be avoided in print and electronic media.

“All political parties contesting the elections shall be provided balanced coverage on national radio/TV channels during their election campaigns. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) will monitor the coverage given to political parties/candidates for their election campaigns through public/private radio/TV channels and for that purpose will obtain the transmission certificates, details of payments made by the candidates and copies thereof shall be forwarded to the Election Commission.

“Pemra shall ensure the compliance of this code by each and every radio/TV channel and representatives of print and electronic media must obtain accreditation card from the Election Commission or its authorised officer for observation of polling process and if a serious violation is found to have been committed, the concerned representative may have his/her accreditation withdrawn. The authority to determine whether any violation has occurred or not rests with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

“Representatives of print and electronic media must not obstruct any element of the election process and must display their identification provided by the Election Commission whenever required by the presiding or returning officer.

“If a candidate makes an allegation against another candidate, the media as far as possible should seek comment from both sides before publishing or broadcasting/telecasting such allegation.

“Wild allegations and statements which may harm national solidarity or may create law and order situation shall be strictly avoided. The print and electronic media shall not use language in reporting events which may incite violence on any grounds, including race, sex, language and religion.”

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2015

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