ECP devises security plan for polls today

Decision on security of political leaders also part of agenda

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has called newly appointed chief secretaries and IGPs of four provinces for a meeting at the central secretariat today [Thursday] to devise security plan for the general elections.

As per the sources meeting to be attended by high-ups of the relevant departments from federal and provincial governments, would discuss security plan for the polling staff, polling stations, ECP buildings, security of printing presses where ballot papers will be printed and security plan for the monitoring teams.



The meeting would discuss and most likely decide installation of CCTV cameras at the sensitive polling stations. In addition to it the role of law enforcement agencies, army, police, rangers in ensuring law and order situation during polls will be discussed.

Moreover it would also fix deadline for the district returning officers to declare which polling under their jurisdiction would come under the category of sensitive.

Meeting agenda also includes security of political leaders, the sources revealed. The huddle would decide the number of security personnel to be deployed with political leaders having security threats.

ECP had earlier scheduled the meeting for last Tuesday, but deferred it because federal government was yet to appoint IGPs and chief secretaries of the provinces. These appointments were notified on Wednesday.



The meeting was conducted in consultation with the Pakistan Army to finalise its security strategy for the July 25 general elections.

As per the meeting armed forces are expected to provide security to ensure the smooth conduct of elections. The final security plan was supposed to be announced after a consensus with law enforcement agencies as well as caretaker authorities in federal and provincial governments.



It was highlighted that election commission would prioritise transparency and smooth conduct of polls to ensure the people vote in a free, independent and peaceful atmosphere.

Furthermore it was discussed Pakistan Army may perform responsibilities as a rapid response force to ensure the secure conduct of general elections. Army personnel may also be stationed for securing logistics and printing of ballot papers by the election commission.