Over 50 polling stations declared high-risk areas

Police intelligence have identified 41 stations as sensitive, 12 highly sensitive

ISLAMABAD: At least 55 polling stations in the capital have been declared high-risk areas which are prone to violence during the upcoming general elections on July 25. Police have identified 41 polling stations as sensitive and another 12 as high sensitive and recommended enhanced security arrangements for these stations.

A total of 788 polling stations will be set up for the three national assembly seats in the capital. According to the polling scheme prepared by the Election Commission of Pakistan, 237 polling stations will be established in NA-52 while 326 stations will be set up in NA-53. Another 225 stations would be arranged for NA-54 constituency.



Of the total, 356 will be exclusively men’s polling stations while 345 exclusively for women. Another 87 will be mixed stations for both men and women. As police are finalising security arrangements for the polling day, they have identified at least 55 stations which are prone to violence. The police have flagged 12 stations as high sensitive and another 41 as sensitive. At least nine polling stations falling in the jurisdiction of Koral police station have been declared high sensitive. Three stations in Nilore and two in Sector I-9 have also been identified as high sensitive.

Apart from these, 41 polling stations have been marked as sensitive. Most of these sensitive polling stations are located in rural areas of Koral, Sihala, Bhara Kahu, and Shahzad Town and some in Industrial Area, Aabpara, Kohsar and Banigala police jurisdictions.

Police say most of these polling stations have a history of trouble on Election Day during previous elections.



 

It is pertinent to note that the capital police have sought personnel from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir police apart from Rangers and Frontier Constabulary whose troops are already deployed and stationed in the capital.

Police are also working on geo-tagging of 378 polling stations in the capital, while security cameras are also being installed at polling stations. The main control room will be set up in the Safe City Command and Control System while another control room will be at the deputy commissioner’s office.

Furthermore, district authorities have also notified a committee to ensure security for political rallies in the capital.  The committee comprises additional deputy commissioner (general), additional SP Security Operations Division, SP Traffic, and two deputy superintendents of police. This committee will also be responsible for scrutinising applications of political parties regarding holding of public gatherings and rallies during the election campaign.

ICT Administration has also started a campaign to implement election code of conduct in the capital.

The administration says it has completed a survey of the polling stations and ensured that all facilities including washrooms, drinking water, and electricity are available there. They said ramps for voters with disabilities are also being ensured. Caretaker interior minister has also directed the authorities to ensure back-up power supply like UPS and generators in case of power disruption.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2018.