ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: The two returning officers appointed to hold elections for the two Islamabad seats visited the polling stations of their respective constituencies to inspect the arrangements being made for polling, on Wednesday.

The additional district and sessions judge Islamabad, Chaudhry Mohammad Younas, returning officer for NA-48 and Sanaullah Malik for NA-49 went to the polling stations to be constituted in government buildings and schools and issued necessary instructions to ensure smooth and peaceful polling on the day of elections.

The staff told Dawn that a total number of 380 polling stations would be established in the capital out of which 180 would be for NA-48 and the rest for NA-49.

All the polling stations would function under the district returning officer and returning officers would be provided necessary assistance by the district administration.

The district administration however, would not be empowered to take any unilateral decision about the polling and in case of any eventuality would be bound to seek instructions from the district returning officer and returning officers.

They said mode of polling would be different from that of the referendum and resident of one particular area to be termed as “block” would not be allowed to cast vote out of his own block.

They said section 144 would remain enforced in Islamabad and no rallies or demonstrations would be allowed. Candidates would be able to hold corner meetings only.

The corner meetings too could be held after prior permission of the district administration as “several candidates may plan to hold meeting at one particular place”.

Ban on display of firearms would remain to ensure public peace, they said.

PPI ADDS: Political activities is fast picking up pace in the capital.