35,000-strong force to ensure security

CCPO says people who violate Election Commission of Pakistan’s Code of Conduct will be sent to jails


Our Correspondent July 22, 2018
PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: Around 35,000 police officials, under the supervision of over 200 inspectors, over 50 DSPs and 25 SPs will be on election duty on July 25, said Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) BA Nasir.

He was speaking to senior officers at Qila Gujjar Singh Police Lines on Saturday. He discussed details of security arrangements for Election Day.

The CCPO said the force will coordinate with officials of the Pakistan Army and the Rangers. He said the polling stations would be monitored through CCTV cameras and aerial surveillance will also be conducted.

‘Ensure strict security while distributing election material’

"All the officials of Lahore police, including CCPO, will remain in the field all day to maintain law and order on July 25," he said. He also ordered a crackdown against criminal elements in the city.

Nasir said people who violate the Election Commission of Pakistan's code of conduct will be sent to jail. "We will not allow activists of any party to take the law into their hands," he added.

He expressed a resolve to conduct a peaceful election despite looming threats of terrorism. He ordered the officers to read the security order out in front of the entire force. The CCPO officials to display their special duty cards issued for Election Day.

The meeting was chaired by CCPO BA Nasir and attended by DIG Operations Dr Shahzad Akbar, DIG Investigations Syed Khurram Ali, SSP Investigations Awais Malik, SSP Operations Asad Sarfaraz Khan, SP CRO, SP CIA, SP Dolphin, SP Anti-Riot Force, SP Headquarters and all the divisional SPs.

Speaking on the occasion, DIG Operations Shahzad Akbar said the general elections have three phases; pre-elections, the elections themselves and post-election. Pre-election includes meetings with the candidates and training of the special force.

The election phase involves maintaining law and order on the day of the election while post-election measures include stopping party supporters from creating a nuisance after results are announced.

He ordered all the SPs to complete their patchwork near the polling stations. He said that ensuring peaceful elections was a national duty and they will perform it in a proper manner.

CTPL issues traffic plan

Meanwhile, the City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) also issued a comprehensive traffic plan for Election Day. The plan will unfold under the command of Chief Traffic Officer Capt (retd) Liaquat Ali Malik, SP Traffic City Division Asif Siddique and SP Saddar Division Sardar Muhammad Asif Khan and 12 deputy superintendents of police.

Over 12,000 cops to guard 5,000 polling stations

Moreover, 168 inspectors, 234 patrolling officers, 130 lady traffic wardens and more than 3,000 traffic wardens would be deployed. Around 200 traffic assistants have also been called for the election duty from police college Chung.

At least 50 forklifts and five breakdowns would be positioned near the polling booths for the smooth flow of traffic. In each traffic circle, an emergency especial squad appointed at main arteries. The citizen would not be allowed to park vehicles near polling booths. The CTO urged wardens to be vigilant and focus on suspicious persons and unattended vehicles. Patrolling would also be ensured for the smooth flow of traffic.

The CTO warned wardens to issue tickets against computerised national identity cards (CNICs). He appealed to the public to cooperate with CTPL, listen to FM radio, use the RASTA app for traffic updates and call 15 for any kind of emergency.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2018.

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