ECP asked to hold Punjab, NA polls on same day

IG Punjab says holding polls will be a ‘difficult task’ until completion of operation against terrorists

ISLAMABAD:

Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman on Wednesday proposed to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that elections in the province as well as those for the National Assembly – meaning general polls – be held on the same day to save expenditures.

Meanwhile, IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar informed the election supervisor that holding of polls in the province would be a “difficult task” until a police operation against terrorists, expected to be completed in four to five months, was over.

The ECP meeting, which was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, was attended by election commission secretary, finance secretary and senior officials.

Addressing the participants of the meeting, the Punjab chief secretary said that the provincial government had started preparations for National Assembly by-polls including devising of a security plan and installation of CCTV cameras at all sensitive polling stations.

Read more: Alvi urges ECP to announce K-P, Punjab election dates

While pointing out that there was a “serious threat” of terrorism in Punjab, he said a control room would be set up in each district of the province during the elections.

He maintained that holding elections separately would make it harder to provide security for the polls.

He claimed that Rs42 billion would be needed to maintain law and order during the elections, noting that the provincial government was facing a financial deficit.

Besides, the chief secretary also contended that administrative officials would be busy keeping prices in check during the month of Ramazan.

He added that law enforcement personnel were deployed for the security of mosques and religious gatherings during the holy month.

The chief secretary further said officials and law enforcement agencies would be busy conducting census starting in March, noting that children’s examinations and polio vaccination campaign would also be held during this period.

Further explaining the difficulties, he said wheat procurement season was due in March and that the provincial government officials were assigned jobs in this regard.

He said the law enforcement agencies would not be able to provide foolproof security in case elections were not held on same day.

The IG Punjab told the meeting that terror attacks and threats were increasing in the province.

He said since December 2022, a total of 213 terror incidents had been prevented of which the police had prior information.

The IG, while submitting different reports on terrorism, observed that various terrorist groups were present in Bhakkar, Mianwali and Dera Ghazi Khan.

He said as sought by the ECP, 412,854 police personnel were required for the holding of polls in a peaceful manner, adding that Punjab Police only had a force of 115,000.

He noted that to fill the deficit of 300,000 personnel, the services of Pakistan Army and Rangers would be required.

The IG maintained that the holding of elections would be a “difficult task” until the police operation against terrorists in kutcha areas of South Punjab and other districts of province, expected to be completed in four to five months, was over.