The Elections Commission prohibits promoting or denouncing Presidential election candidates at religious sermons.
The Commission prohibited this in the Regulations it published for the 2023 Presidential Elections which was released yesterday via the Government Gazette.
The regulation said that it is prohibited to garner support for one particular candidate or party as well as denounce a candidate while giving religious sermons, talks, and speaking at events held to commemorate religious activities.
It also stated that campaigners must not speak against the fundamentals of Islam as well as defile the religion while garnering support for a candidate.
The 20203 Presidential Election Regulation also prohibits presenting a candidate based on their gender, religious sect, or dialect as a reason to vote or vote against that candidate.
It also bans bribing or gifting voters in order to get support for a particular candidate or persuade them not to vote for a candidate in the elections. It further bans candidates and their campaigners to promise any financial or materialistic benefits in return for their support.
The regulation also prohibits campaigners from intimidating or threatening voters to get support or persuade them to vote against another candidate.
It further bans campaigning at schools, colleges, universities, and other education centers as well as all government offices and council offices that do not host social activities.
