Election Day preparations: ‘6,000 security officials to be deployed at polling stations’

Over 600 stations have been labeled sensitive, list shared with law enforcement agencies.

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) caretaker government has chalked out a security plan for all polling stations on Election Day.

Briefing journalists at the Peshawar Press Club’s ‘Guest Hour’ programme on Tuesday, provincial caretaker Information Minister Mussarat Qadeem said more than 6,000 security officials will be deployed at polling stations across the province and the army would be called in for assistance, if required. “All stations will be provided fool-proof security,” he said.

“Apart from the police, forest guards, civil defence and levies forces will be part of the security team,” Qadeem said. “The army will be on standby and can be called in at any time. The security situation in our province is directly linked with the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.”



A nationwide survey revealed that 564 polling stations had recorded a zero female voter turnout. Out of the 564 stations, 55% were in K-P, Qadeem said, adding they will create an environment on Election Day where women could fearlessly come to cast their vote.

“I will personally suggest this to the Election Commission of Pakistan that if the women voter turnout is less than a specific limit, the ballots cast in that station be considered null and void,” said the information minister.

Responding to a question whether the prevailing security situation permits holding elections, Qadeem said the government will not allow anyone to use delay tactics and assured everyone that a plan has been made keeping all dangers in mind.

“The interim government is a bridge between the past and future governments and it is our constitutional responsibility to hold free, fair and transparent elections and provide a secure environment to voters.”

Out of the 970 polling stations across K-P, more than 600 are considered sensitive and a list of all these have been shared with law enforcement agencies, she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2013.