KHYBER
Scores of candidates contesting Local Bodies (LB) election in Landi Kotal found violating code of ethics, formulated by the election commission.
The candidates contest mayorship or village/neighborhood councils slots publicized and pasted extra-size banners, portraits and posters, put aside code of ethics of election commission.
According to the code of conduct and ethics publicized by the district election commission poster, banner and portrait sizes for mayor ship slot is 23×18, 9×3 and 3×2 inch.
Similarly for village/neighborhood councilers 3×2 posters and 9×3 banners are permitted to fix.
Wall chalking, billboards and hoarding are also prohibited.
In local government elections public gathering and rallies were restricted however corner meetings are allowed to carry out the campaign.
Numbers of candidates in LB election have been found violating code of conduct in Landi Kotal by conducting wall chalking, carryout car rallies and have pendant extra-large banners and portraits in the areas of Khuga Khel, Shiekhmal Khel,Piro Khel,Khyber Zakha Khel etc. areas of Landi Kotal in on going election campaigns.
They also utilize mega phones in car rallies to attract the attention of their constituencies’ voters.
On the other hand no mentoring system from the election commission is available to ensure implementation of the election code of ethics in words and spirit.
It is to be stated here that for 252 slots (general councilor, woman, minority, peasant/worker and youth) in 31 village and 05 neighborhood councils, 824 candidates have submitted their candidature while for mayor ship 21 candidates have filed their submission.
