High court seeks reply over ECP's curbs on corner meetings.

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...