LAHORE, June 27: Politicians have termed the Election Commission of Pakistan’s code of conduct for the next general election ‘unrealistic’ and asked it to take measures to facilitate voters if it wants to implement it.

“If the ECP ensures setting up polling stations near the residences of voters and arranges meal for the polling staff and agents, somehow the expenses of a candidate can be curtailed but even then there will remain a question how will the candidates go for canvassing. The ECP should also arrange time for them on TV channels for the purpose. If the ECP cannot ensure this, it will not be easier for a candidate to follow its new code of conduct,” PML-N Senator Pervaiz Rashid said while talking to Dawn.

According to the ECP’s code of conduct, a candidate cannot spend more than Rs1.5 million, use a loudspeaker and wall chalking and hold polling camps and provide transport facility to voters.

Mr Rashid said the ECP should first ensure fairness and transparency in the next elections, and for the purpose it should prepare fair voters’ lists. Navid Chaudhry, coordinator to President Zardari in Punjab, said the new code of conduct would lead to litigations.

“The expenses of a candidate can be cut only if the ECP provides transport and related facilities to the voters of a constituency. Without bringing about reforms, such limitations will not bear the fruit,” he said.

Giving an example of Sri Lanka, Mr Chaudhry said the state provided transport facilities to the voters. He said it would be unrealistic to expect that a candidate spends a meagre amount on his or her election while the state provides no facility to voters.

PML-Q’s Riaz Husain Pirzada said this code of conduct could only be followed if the parties were ideological and the people voted them not the candidates.

He said the ECP had to form such a code under which the common man could contest the election.