PK-8 by-polls: Imran issued notice for holding rally on May 9

Over 5,000 policemen, army deployed to ensure security; schools to remain closed

PESHAWAR: A notice has been issued to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan for violating the code of conduct and addressing a rally on May 9 for the PK-8, Peshawar-VIII by-elections. Army personnel have been deployed alongside over 5,000 policemen to provide security during the by-polls that were scheduled for Thursday (today)

As per a notification issued from the district election commissioner’s office, Imran has been asked to explain his position in this regard. He has been asked to appear at the returning officer’s office on May 13.

Security dynamic

PK-8 has been divided into three sectors and an SP rank officer of police has been made responsible for each sector.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, SSP Operations Abbas Majeed Marwat said 5,372 policemen had been deployed for the polling day and the Pakistan Army will remain on standby and will be called in in the event of an emergency.

“There are three sectors – Daudzai, Khazana and Mathra, and Cantt SP, City SP and Rural SP have been made in charge of each sector respectively,” he said. “Two platoons have been given to each sector in charge. Each platoon has been made available to SSP Operations and to CCPO in case of an emergency.”

Marwat added, “We have assigned a police official in each polling station with the task of making videos of everything that goes on at the premises for the sake of record.”

According to the SSP, since the constituency is located adjacent to the tribal belt, the political administration has been asked to keep all entry and exit points sealed at all times and keep the movement in and out to a minimum to ensure maximum security.

Moreover, Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) teams, along with sniper dogs, metal detectors and other equipment, have been deployed in different parts of the area.

“Policemen in plain clothes will also monitor the situation round the clock,” Marwat said.

There are 98 polling stations in the constituency and 43 of them have been declared ‘very sensitive’, 45 are deemed ‘sensitive’ and the remainder, 11, are considered normal.

Closure of schools

All schools will remain closed for a day in PK-8 due to by-elections. According to Peshawar district administration spokesperson Sajid Khan, schools will remain closed due to by-polls in PK-8 Peshawar since polling booths have been set up and prepared in all government schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2016.