EC prohibits govt employees from referendum campaigning

Government officials and staffs cannot campaign for either “yes” or “no” vote in the July Charter referendum and will risk facing legal measures if they do so, the Election Commission (EC) has said.

The government officials can campaign for attracting voter turnout in the referendum, but not for any “particular option” put up for vote in the referendum on crucial constitutional reforms, according to EC letters sent to returning officers across the country on Thursday.

Campaigning for any particular choice will influence the outcome of the referendum, making the concerned government employees liable to face legal actions, the EC said in the letter, instructing returning officers to take corrective measures against any such potential campaigns.

NSA