The Union Election Commission issued a statement on October 24 saying that political parties and parliamentary candidates are to follow the guidelines adopted by the Ministry of Health and Sports during the remaining election campaign period.
While the UEC is paying attention to holding the 2020 multi-party democracy election peacefully in all designated township constituencies, inclusive cooperation is also necessary so the voters can cast their ballots in accord with the rules and disciplines prescribed by authorities, the statement says.
The UEC issued a notification (173/2020) giving permission to conduct election campaigns for 60 days from September 8 to November 6 in the run-up to the general election scheduled on November 8.
In election campaigning, political parties and candidates are to follow the instructions issued by the UEC, the electoral ethics and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Covid-19 prevention and control.
According to the SOPs issued by the Ministry of Health and Sports, there must not be a gathering of more than 50 people for an election campaign or rally. People must stay six feet apart, the statement says.
In the latest statement, the UEC however points out that political parties and parliamentary candidates have failed to follow the instructions in their election campaigns. There have been gatherings of exceeding numbers of people and they have failed to follow the social distancing rules. Moreover, public supporters are found to have weaknesses in following the instructions and guidelines.
With the election only about 15 days away and the election campaign period about 13 days away, political parties and parliamentary candidates as well as supporters are requested to follow the prescribed guidelines and instructions during the remaining election campaign period, the statement says.
