The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a detailed code of conduct for Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces personnel assigned to duty during upcoming by-elections across various constituencies.
According to the ECP, the guidelines have been issued under Article 220 of the Constitution and Section 233 of the Elections Act 2017, and will be applicable to both national and provincial by-polls.
The code outlines that all deployed personnel must perform their duties strictly within the framework of Article 245, ensuring safe access for voters to polling stations. Under the defined response structure, police will serve as the first responders, Civil Armed Forces as second responders (standby), and the Pakistan Army as the third responder (Quick Reaction Force).
Security forces have been instructed that their deployment will be outside highly sensitive polling stations, while security during the printing, transportation, and delivery of ballot papers and election material will be performed in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions, including the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
During the by-elections, all officers and JCOs will exercise only the powers delegated to them by the ECP. They have been ordered to fully facilitate DROs, ROs, and polling staff in performing their duties and to maintain strict neutrality throughout the election process.
Personnel have been directed to treat voters and polling staff politely, identify suspicious individuals for police checking, and focus solely on security duties outside highly sensitive stations. In case of any irregularity, they must first report to the presiding officer and their chain of command; if the presiding officer fails to take action, the matter must be escalated to the relevant RO.
The code emphasizes that security personnel should avoid arguments with candidates, polling agents or media, must not interfere in the duties of polling staff, and should report any irregularities occurring outside the station instead of taking unilateral action.
They have also been directed to avoid interfering in the counting process, and must not stop any eligible voter from entering the polling station unless they are carrying weapons or attempting to cause disruption. Additionally, security forces may not assume any responsibilities assigned to polling staff.
The ECP added that DROs and ROs may visit polling stations at any time, and accredited observers are permitted entry as part of the monitoring process.
