The Election Commission (EC) has issued a stern directive to District Secretaries, Ministry Secretaries, the heads of all public institutions, chairpersons of Government corporations and statutory boards, mandating that Government properties, including vehicles, must not be used for election campaigns during the period of the Presidential Election (PE).
EC sources said that by issuing the circular No. 5, dated July 26, 2024, it apprised them that failure to adhere to it and the Election law in general is an offence under Article 104 (B) of the Constitution.
The offenders could face a fine up to Rs. 100,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both, they said.
EC sources said these directives should be strictly followed from the date the Commission called for nominations for the Presidential poll – July 26, 2024 until the end of the poll on September 21.
The restrictions prohibit the recruitment of new cadres, worker promotions, and transfers in Government institutions. They are currently in force. They came into effect from the nomination date for the Presidential poll – July 26, 2024. The law will apply until the conclusion of the Presidential poll on September 21, EC sources said.
The Commission highlighted in the circular that it had received numerous complaints about the misuse of Government vehicles during past elections. The vehicles misused for election campaigning included cars, jeeps, and even helicopters. Officials are called upon to ensure that these vehicles are not used for partisan campaign activities by any independent group, candidate, or political party, EC sources said.
It will also be an offence for Government officials with political privileges to use their personal social media accounts or any other accounts to promote or harm any political party or candidate. Public servants with access to Government resources are prohibited from engaging in election campaigning during office hours.
The EC has instructed candidates to refrain from distributing Government lands, deed titles, house ownership transfer deeds, seeds for agriculture, fertiliser, cash, various subsidies, agricultural equipment, sports goods, and appliances for self-employment, bicycles, building materials, and housing loans during the election period.
