ECP to deploy 44 army companies

Twelve districts in Punjab go to polls on December 5

ISLAMABAD: The election authorities have decided to deploy 44 companies of Pakistan Army in the 12 districts of Punjab going for local government elections on December 5.

Apart from the soldiers, eight companies of paramilitary rangers and 170,000 policemen will be deputed for security in and around polling stations for the third and final phase of the LG polls.



An army company typically comprises 130 to 170 soldiers headed by a major or a captain. Going by an average of 150 personnel, 44 companies will have 6,600 soldiers, who will be put on stand-by for security on December 5.

The decision to deploy soldiers was taken at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday. The meeting was held to review arrangements for the upcoming elections, including printing of ballot papers, training of polling staff, logistics and security issues.



Chaired by the chief election commissioner, the meeting was attended by the election commission members, Punjab election commissioner, home secretary, police chief and the returning officers of all the 12 districts.



The ECP also decided to depute 13 law enforcement personnel each at ‘most sensitive’ polling stations; seven at the ‘sensitive’ ones and five personnel at the normal polling stations.

The Punjab election commissioner briefed the meeting about the details of polling stations established for the third phase, the number of contesting candidates for each category and wards, the polling staff appointed and trained for this purpose, requirement of army, Rangers and other security arrangements as well as printing and transportation of ballot papers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th,  2015.