ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule for first phase of local government (LG) polls in Sindh and Punjab, to be held on Oct 31.

Transfers and postings of government officials have been banned in eight districts of Sindh and 12 districts of Punjab where the elections will be held.

The districts of Sindh are: Khairpur which has 86 union councils (UCs), Sukkur 63 UCs, Ghotki 64 UCs, Larkana 67 UCs, Shikarpur 55 UCs, Qambar-Shahdadkot 52 UCs, Jacobabad 44 UCs and Kashmor-Kandkot 41 UCs.

The districts of Punjab are: Lodhran having 70 UCs, Vehari 105 UCs, Okara 140 UCs, Pakpattan 54 UCs, Bahawalnagar 135 UCs, Faisalabad 189 UCs, Bhakkar 64 UCs, Lahore 274 UCs, Kasur 125 UCs, Nankana Sahib 65 UCs, Gujrat 129 UCs and Chakwal 71 UCs.

According to the schedule, returning officers will issue public notices inviting nomination papers of candidates on Sept 1 and candidates will file the papers with the returning officers between Sept 7 and 11.

Returning officers will scrutinise the papers from Sept 12 to 17 and appeals against acceptance or rejection of nominations will be filed on Sept 22.

The last date for deciding appeals by election tribunals is Sept 30 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature Oct 1. The final lists of candidates will be published on Oct 2.

The ECP has also issued the code of conduct for coverage of the elections by electronic media.

Since the polls are being held on party basis, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has been directed to monitor the coverage given to political parties and their candidates.

The code of conduct says that wild allegation and statements which may harm national solidarity or may create law and order situation should be strictly avoided.

The media has been directed to seek comments of both sides in case of allegations levelled by one candidate against another.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2015

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