LG elections: Rangers, police to start patrolling from today 15 districts going to polls

It has also been decided to impose a ban on private security guards and suspend all weapons’ licences for three days

KARACHI: Rangers and police will start patrolling from today in the 15 districts where local government elections will be held on November 19. The army will remain on standby.

This was decided by the Sindh government at a law and order meeting at CM House on Friday evening. “In most sensitive polling station five to 10 cops and two Rangers personnel will be deployed,” said Sindh Information Minister Nisar Khuhro, giving a briefing to the media after the meeting. Chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, the meeting was attended by Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, the Rangers DG, Sindh IG, the chief secretary, the home secretary and the home minister.

The government has also decided to impose a ban on private security guards and suspend all weapons’ licences for three days from November 17 to November 19.

Khuhro added that the government is not opposed to army deployment and the election commission can made that decision if it deems necessary. The election commission will be meeting in Islamabad today (Saturday) to discuss the law and order situation in sensitive districts of lower Sindh.

“It was decided to appoint 51,000 policemen and 3,798 Rangers personnel in the second phase of the elections,” said Khuhro, adding that there will be ban on display of the weapons in these 15 districts.

Khuhro clarified that the Rangers will not only be patrolling in the areas but will be available inside the polling stations as well. No policemen will perform his duties in plainclothes, he added.