ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought a reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) within two days on a petition filed against restrictions on corner meetings in line with the ECP code of conduct devised for local government (LG) elections in the federal capital.

Ahead of the polls expected to be held next month, the ECP, in the code of conduct for the local bodies elections, banned public gatherings and corner meetings without the prior approval of the district administration.

The petitioner, Shiraz Kayani, through his counsel Babar Awan contended before the court that the ECP’s code of conduct was against the fundamental rights.

Mr Awan argued that the ECP’s code linked the corner meetings and holding of public processions with the prior approval of the administration and also introduced criteria for political activities within Red Zone.

At least 4,000 candidates are contesting in Islamabad LG polls on Dec 31

He pointed out that over 4,000 candidates were contesting in 101 union councils of Islamabad and added that it was “not possible for the district administration to give permission for holding corner meetings and public gatherings to so many candidates”.

As many as 4,403 candidates have filed nomination papers for the upcoming local government elections in the federal capital scheduled to take place on Dec 31.

According to details, 1,074 individuals have filed nomination papers as joint candidates for chairman and vice chairman for the total 101 union councils while 1,945 have submitted nominations for 606 general seats — six each in every union council.

As many as 546 candidates intend to contest for 202 reserved seats for women, 344 for 101 seats reserved for youth, 348 and 146 for 101 reserved seats for labourers, and farmers, and 146 for 101 seats for non-Muslims.

A preliminary list of candidates will be displayed on Nov 14. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out from Nov 15 to Nov 18 and appeals against acceptance and rejection of the nomination papers can be filed from Nov 21 to Nov 23. The appeals will be decided by Nov 30.

The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers will be Nov 30, while election symbols will be allotted on Dec 1 and polling will be held on Dec 31.

A total of 984,877 voters, 518,193 men, and 466,284 women, will cast their ballots for the elections of chairman, vice chairman, councillors, and lady councillors in 101 union councils.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022