ISLAMABAD - The executive authorities in the Federation and in the provinces shall not use State resources anywhere in Pakistan for unfair advantage of a particular candidate or political party nor exercise undue influence affecting the interest of a candidate or a party for participating in any election to be held hereinafter, the Election Commission said on Thursday.
According to a Press release, if any person in the service of Pakistan misuses his official position in any manner calculated to influence the result of the election, he may be tried by a court as contemplated under Section 95 of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1976 and, if found guilty of the offence, may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both under Section 92 of the Act.
The Press release quoted an official notification which said, individual transfers/postings of civil servants shall also not be made after the issuance of schedule of an election except under exceptional circumstances, in exigency of service and in public interest, with prior approval of the Election Commission.
After the issuance of schedule of an election, the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Federal Ministers, State Ministers, Advisers to the President and the Prime Minister, Provincial Ministers and Advisers to the Chief Ministers shall neither visit the area of any constituency where an election is being held nor shall openly or in secret give any subscription or donation or make promise for giving such subscription or donation to any institution of a constituency, nor shall inaugurate, commit to undertake or announce any development project therein for the advancement of the campaign of a candidate of his choice and thereby influence the results of that election, the Press release added.