The Citizens Group on Electoral Process – CGEP, facilitated by PILDAT, had issued a proposed Election Code of Conduct for adoption by Election Commission of Pakistan, and Political Parties in July 2007. The Group had urged the ECP and the Political Parties to come together to agree on a set of rules for elections to provide a level-playing field to all stakeholders for free and fair general election. The CGEP had also urged that the key stakeholders thoroughly consider this proposed Code of Conduct and voluntarily adopt a code as early as possible. On October 24, 2007, the Election Commission of Pakistan issued a Draft Election Code of Conduct. The background paper

reviews the ECP Code with the CGEP-proposed Code to examine similarities and flag critical areas that require attention. The background paper has been prepared by PILDAT to facilitate the comparison by the political parties, media and the public before the ECP finalises and issues a Code of Conduct for General Election.