ISLAMABAD: The PML-N has fielded 506 candidates in the local government elections in the federal capital scheduled to be held on November 30 while the PTI is trailing closely behind with 479 aspirants.

Incidentally, the second largest party of the country, the PPP, which used to have dominance in local politics, has only 81 candidates - even less than Jamaat–i-Islami (JI) which has 164 candidates.

The details released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) show that 972 independent candidates were also contesting the polls. Besides, the PML-Q has only 12 candidates and JUI-F 13.

Pakistan People’s Party (Workers), led by Naheed Khan, has only one candidate in UC-35. Likewise, the Sunni Itehad Council has also fielded one candidate.

There are a total 22 parties contesting the elections, many of them unknown who have candidates in the single digit. But the little known political party, ‘Tehreek Tahafuz-i-Pakistan’ has 66 candidates in the 50 UCs.

The National Party that leads the coalition government in Balochistan has a total of 16 candidates. Other small parties contesting the polls are: Awami Workers Party (15 candidates), Pasban Party (10), Qaumi Awami Tehreek (11) and Nazaria Pakistan Party (nine candidates).

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) held a briefing in Taxila on Monday on the newly introduced laws and the code of conduct for candidates in the third phase of the local bodies (LB) elections.

At the session held in the community centre, Taxila, returning officer, urban, Sahid Imran Marth, returning officer, rural, Qammar Zeeshan and Sub Divisional Police Officer, DSP Saleem Khattak briefed the candidates and answered their questions.

The candidates were told that the government was committed to holding the elections according to the rules and regulations, which will be enforced and implemented.

They were warned that the commission’s employees will not let any party or candidate to break the law and that strict action will be taken against anyone who broke the law or used government installations for political activities.

Returning officer, urban, Shahid Imran Marth urged the candidate to follow the rules and security plans to ensure free and peaceful elections in the area.

DSP Saleem Khattak warned that celebratory firing, displaying weapons, and fireworks had been banned to maintain law and order during the third phase of the local elections.

He said a security plan has been drawn up for sensitive polling stations to avoid untoward incidences.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2015