CEC terms military deployment ‘necessary’ in Punjab by-polls

Secretary ECP vows indiscriminate action against those who create unrest

ISLAMABAD:

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja on Saturday termed the deployment of Pakistan Army troops in Punjab by-polls mandatory as the province heads to ballot today amid a tense air.

The military carried out reconnaissance of most sensitive locations as third tier responders to any law and order situation ahead of Sunday’s by-polls in Punjab. ISPR says the troops will perform Quick Reaction Force duties in case of any law and order situation.#etribune #news pic.twitter.com/468hjhe2yT

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In a statement, the CEC stressed that the deployment of military personnel was necessary to protect voters and directed the Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to set up a Lahore camp office in order to review the arrangements for security and holding elections.

ECP Secretary Omar Hameed Khan later reached the provincial capital and set up a camp as directed.
Meanwhile, the interior ministry, on the request of the top electoral authority, has decided to deploy 2,000 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel owing to the law and order situation during the polls.

According to Omar Hameed Khan, the decision has been made in view of fears of clashes between political opponents. He added that no attempt at creating unrest will be tolerated, saying indiscriminate action will be taken against the miscreants.

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Khan maintained that the ECP enjoyed complete support of the state institutions and that had been assured of improved arrangements and stringent security.

The secretary ECP urged the public to come out of their homes on the polling day without fear and exercise their right to vote.

A day earlier, the electoral watchdog instructed the political parties to follow the provision of law and exercise self-restraint so that polls could be held in a peaceful manner and warned that legal action would be taken against the violators.‘Reconnaissance of sensitive areas’Meanwhile, the military has said that it has carried out reconnaissance of the most sensitive locations in the respective areas as third-tier responders to any law and order situation.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the activity was carried out in line with the directions of the ECP for today’s by-elections.

The military's media wing further said that the troops will perform Quick Reaction Force duties in case of any law and order situation during the polls.