ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: Political parties will get less than a month for their election campaigns as the government has decided to lift ban on political activities after the publication of final list of candidates on Sept 13, it is reliably learnt.

Political activities allowed for the Oct 10 elections will not only be for the shortest period ever but these would also be restricted to public and corner meetings.

Big processions used to be taken out by the political parties during election campaigns in the past, will not be allowed in view of the security situation.

“These are the first elections being held in the country after the Sept 11, which had totally changed the security environment of the country,” a highly-placed source said.

The military government has demonstrated unprecedented tolerance for free press and print media have been comprehensively covering activities and statements of political parties, therefore three to four weeks will be enough for canvassing, the source maintained.

Besides, the Election Commission has not yet finalized the code of conduct for the political parties. It had sought proposals from major political parties to prepare the code of conduct in the light of the one adopted during the 1997 elections.

The Elections Commission had asked the key political players whether they wanted the same code or they felt the need for some amendments to that.

Asked about security measures likely to be taken during the forthcoming elections, the source said that the law-enforcement agencies would follow the standard security procedures but added that troops would be kept stand by for meeting any contingency.