KARACHI, Aug 5: With less than two weeks left for polling in the first phase of local government polls, the election campaign has still to pick up in the city while major stakeholders are still busy in seat adjustments and compromises.

In most of the 18 towns of Karachi City District, where tough competition is on the cards between candidates supported by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on the one hand and other opposition parties on the other, the two groups are now trying to influence the independent candidates to retire to ensure one-on-one contest.

In some areas, candidates have started putting up their election camps where they have put up their posters displaying their election symbols and photographs

Under the rules, for a joint panel of Union Nazim and Naib Nazim, the limit for election expenses has been fixed at Rs 0.1 million while the limit of a candidate for union council seat cannot spend more than Rs 20,000.

A random survey showed that most of the candidates appeared very cautious and were not indulging in expensive campaigning for fear of being disqualified on charge of overspending.

In the code of conduct, it has been made clear that no candidate would use the platform of any political, religious, racial or regional party or organization for his election campaign, directly or indirectly, nor he or she would use its flag, financial or other material resources.

Election observers pointed out that candidates were allowed only to hold corner meetings which could be addressed without loudspeaker. Besides, candidates were barred from holding public meetings on main roads or roundabouts which could interrupt traffic. Taking out processions or staging rallies is also banned.

The candidates and their supporters are also barred from indulging in baseless propaganda which could prove detrimental to opponent candidates.

Another reason for the low profile electioneering this time was ban on wall chalking and ban on taking out election processions.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has already issued necessary election material, including stationary and proofreads to be used on polling day except ballot papers and indelible ink, to all district returning officers so as to enable them to distribute it amongst the ROs under their jurisdiction.

Ballot papers will be delivered to the ROs four days before the polling day so that they could ensure its delivery to all polling officers on time.

The polling personnel are being imparted necessary training. In this connection, a brief course of extending over two to three days has been arranged by different ROs and DROs so that the presiding officers /assistant presiding officers/ polling officers could conduct polls in accordance with the rules and regulations.

Their training would start after finalization of polling stations by staging mock polling for their practical training at the Tehsil / Taluka headquarter level.

It is learnt that the EC had also provided a video film showing the polling procedure for training of the polling staff.