KARACHI, Dec 10: With only a few days left in the commencement of election campaigns by political parties, the city government has failed to identify 18 places in as many towns of the metropolis where parties could hold public meetings.

Like everywhere else in the country, the election campaign in Karachi will officially begin on Dec 15, the last date of withdrawal of nomination papers, and end 48 hours before the day of polling ie Jan 8, 2008.

According to the election commission’s final code of conduct for political parties and contesting candidates for the general election, any party or candidate may inform the local administration of the venue and time of any proposed meeting at least 24 hours in advance so that police can make necessary traffic and security arrangements.

Sources in the provincial home department told Dawn that the city government had been asked to identify at least one place in each town for holding public meetings keeping in view the fact that the designated sites might not disturb the peace of the surrounding areas.

A list of proposed places had been sought by the home department so that it could finalise it after consultation with police and agencies as it felt that a charged political situation called for exercising maximum caution to ensure safety and security of candidates as well as the general public, the sources said.

In this regard, the sources said, the home department had sent a letter on Nov 30 to the Karachi District Coordination Officer who in turn directed the Executive District Officer (Revenue) to identify such places in consultation with his subordinates and town municipal officers.

As part of holding general elections in the city, the EDO Revenue was designated as a focal person so that he could closely coordinate with the district returning officers, the law enforcing agencies and other organisations. However, the city government has not identified the places for public meetings so far despite the written request made by the home department on Nov 30.

Expressing annoyance over a delay in the finalisation of what some officials called a very important task, the DCO directed the authorities concerned to complete and submit to him the final list at the earliest.

A source in the city government told Dawn that the authorities were trying to allocate two places in thickly-populated towns to avoid any possible confrontation between the contesting parties on the issue of permission for holding public meetings.

It was also stated that no political party or individual would be allowed to hold public meetings at places other than those marked for this purpose. Holding of meetings or rallies on main streets, roads and roundabouts would not be permitted in order to avoid traffic jams and public inconvenience. However, a candidate may hold corner meetings in his/her constituency after getting prior permission from the local administration, added the source.