Almost 40,000 cops detailed for LG polls security

Additional IG Police Karachi Javed Alam Odho, along with Zonal DIGs and SSPs, briefed the media representatives at the Karachi Police Office on the security arrangements made for the LG elections. "We have completed all arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the election," he said. He said that eight policemen would be deployed at each "highly sensitive" polling station and four at each "sensitive" polling station, while private security guards and other support personnel would also be deployed.

AIG Odho said that more than 40,000 police officers and officials would perform election duty in the city. Police reinforcement has also been called from other districts of Sindh. "Police deployment will be seen in every polling station, street and neighbourhood and I hope the election day will pass peacefully," he said.

According to him, 5,010 personnel will be deployed as quick response force at 24,968 polling stations which will include armed personnel from various units. Anti-riots force contingents, comprising of 4,438 personnel, will also be present to deal with any riots.

He further informed the media that 1,714 vehicles have been allocated for security duty while 408 people in 154 vehicles will serve the police personnel. Young under-training police recruits have been called in for duty. Services of scouts and lady health workers are also being acquired. "We will try our best to organize free and fair elections," he added.

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AIG Odho said that separate police teams have been constituted to ensure safe delivery of election materials, while special security arrangements have been made at the ECP office and at DRO offices. "In order to ensure law and order inside the polling stations, the police will take action as per the direction of the presiding officer," he said.

A meeting of the district administration, Rangers, police and candidates of political parties was held in order to ensure that the ECP code of conduct is implemented. In case of any violation, immediate action will be taken as per law without discrimination. Display of weapons has been banned under Section 144.

He regretted rioting and violence during the recent by-elections in Landhi and Korangi, but said that immediate action was taken and arrests were also made to bring the situation under control. "The by-elections were held successfully. We congratulate the ECP for conduct of successful elections," he said.

He further said that conspiracies were hatched to spread ethnic tensions in the city, which have been thwarted. However, he said everyone has a right to express their opinion.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2022.