ISLAMABAD, Sept 14: Candidates of the two constituencies in the capital — NA-48 and NA-49 — have been asked to restrict themselves to corner meetings only.

This was decided in a special meeting held here at the Chief Commissioner Office on Saturday.

The meeting was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Tariq Mehmood Khan. Others who attended the meeting were SSP Islamabad Syed Kaleem Imam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Malik Tariq, Director, Municipal Administration of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Mustafain Kazmi, coordinator for elections in Islamabad Chaudhry Asghar Ali, all assistant commissioners and magistrates.

Some 40 candidates and their representatives also attended the meeting, including Ahmed Raza Kasuri, Syed Nayyar Bukhari, Munawar Mughal, Alamgir, representatives of Mustafa Khokhar, Mian Aslam, Babar Awan, Syed Zafar Ali Shah and others.

The candidates of both constituencies were told that all sorts of political activities, installation of banners and hoarding had been banned in the Constitutional Avenue. They were briefed about the ‘code of conduct’ issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for candidates contesting the elections.

The briefing was given by the coordinator elections in Islamabad, Chaudhry Asghar Ali. He told the candidates that the ‘code of conduct’ was not prepared by the local administration or the CDA but had been issued by the ECP. He said the local administration had also been directed to implement it in true spirit.

The candidates were informed about the parameters under which they could launch their election campaigns. They were asked to avoid delivering anti-government speeches in their public meetings. They were also briefed on how to erect banners and at what places. The size of the banners, hoarding and even stickers was described to them in the meeting.

The deputy commissioner informed the candidates that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration had issued a list of specified places for holding corner meetings in the capital.

He said if any candidate required the document of ‘code of conduct’ of elections, he could contact the coordinator election in Islamabad in this regard.

He said the ICT administration would give permission for holding public meetings on the same day when applications in this regard were presented to him.