The Election Commission has finalised the draft of electoral codes of conduct for political parties and candidates in line with the one in India without reaching a political consensus “because of shortage of time.”
The EC claims it has kept equal scope for all candidates and parties as it proposes cancellation of at least seven facilities of the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, the chiefs of parties, the ministers and MPs during the election time.
The draft would be uploaded on the EC’s website seeking opinion of the people. It will also be sent to the registered political parties before the EC finalises it.
The EC is following the Indian election codes as it did not have much time to prepare a fresh one, EC officials said. According to the constitution, the next parliamentary election must be held before January 24.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Thursday said the EC was working to prepare the electoral codes as per the constitution. It would give all parties enough time so that no one faced any difficulty.
Commissioner Md Shah Newaz said the EC would ensure equal scope for all during the election period.
To this end, “the EC will cancel all the government facilities during the election campaigns. Moreover, the government allocation and donation will be postponed after the announcement of polls schedule.”
The commission had to change the codes since the next general elections would be held under an elected government, for the first time since 1991. The last session of the current parliament will end on November 7.
The draft says the prime minister and the leader of the opposition or those who would be in office during the polls-time government will not get any protocol but will be given protection.
They will not be able to use government transport and housing facilities in a constituency. Moreover, they will not get personal secretary and government employees as members of entourage during their election campaigns.
Lawmakers are the advisers in their respective areas, part of law enforcement committees, president of governing body of educational institutions, and can use government rest houses and vehicles.
But as per the draft, they would not get these facilities.
While preparing the draft, the EC gave importance on the electoral codes of conduct in India which says the ruling party chief and ministers cannot hold their election campaigns using government facilities.
It states that they will not be able to use government transport except for government works and going to office. The ministers and the MPs also cannot visit a place if s/he is not a voter or candidate of that particular constituency.
In violation of the codes, the Indian EC can fine them. The commission may also withdraw their transportation facilities.
The Indian codes also stipulate that after the schedule is declared, the government cannot take any decision that can influence the polls. The government cannot allocate money for any development project during the election time.