No untoward incident reported during by-polls

LAHORE: The law and order situation during the historic NA-120 by-election remained peaceful.

However, a few incidents of arguments between the activists of political parties were reported. Balloting continued uninterrupted throughout the day and not a single incident was reported.

The battle for NA-120 is set to be a close one 

At a few polling stations, supporters of political parties got engaged in a war of words but the situation was defused by rangers and army officials. Presence and patrolling by army and rangers officials also played a role in peaceful polls. Officials of police and other law enforcement agencies reached the constituency early in the morning and also assisted the election commission officials in transportation of polling material.

The security deployment and law and order situation was digitally monitored by Lahore police commanders at DIG Operations office. For maintaining security, the constituency was divided into five zones. Each zone was supervised by an officer of SP rank. Each zone was further divided into sectors and sub-sectors supervised by DSP and sub-inspector rank officers.



At least, 20 police officials were deployed at each polling station, while 100 meter area around it was covered with barbed wire and barricades. Only voters carrying CNIC cards were allowed entry after checking at three points that included frisking, metal dectors and walk-through gates.

In addition, over 8,000 police officials performed duties alongside officials of rangers, army and other law enforcement agencies under the supervision of 46 SHOs, 18 DSPs and 6 SPs for security of 220 polling stations. Pickets were also established in nearby areas of polling stations.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2017.