ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan has proposed legislation to the government to almost triple the limit for election campaign expenditures for the upcoming elections, sources revealed yesterday.
According to the sources, the commission has recommended to enhance the election campaign expenditures for provincial assembly candidates to the tune of Rs3m (31,919) and for National Assembly candidates to Rs5m ($53,191).
At present the election campaign expenditure limit is Rs1m for provincial assembly candidates and Rs1.5m for those of the National Assembly, the sources added.
When contacted, an ECP official confirmed the proposal and said it aims to facilitate the candidates who have vast constituencies.
However, the proposal is still pending with the government as proper legislation is needed for enhancing the expenditure limits.
The limits at present are insufficient to meet the election campaign expenditure. “We know that the candidates submit with us wrong figures. This legislation will facilitate them to avoid submitting false statement,” the official said.
Separately, ECP Additional Secretary Muhammad Afzal said that the commission, under an order, has approved voters’ education strategy for voters’ mobilisation.
Talking to a private news channel, he said that under the strategy, voters’ awareness campaign is being launched at district level for the mobilisation of various segments of society, especially women and modernised groups who had no wholesome participation in election process. He said the ECP has also approved a suggestion that October 17 be celebrated as National Voters Day.
Internews
