Boosted security for tense poll districts
PHOTO: FILE
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has mobilized an additional 26,213 security personnel from various provincial departments in preparation for the upcoming general elections in the province.
This announcement came during a crucial meeting held on Tuesday, chaired by Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, to assess the government’s readiness for the impending elections.
This surge in security personnel aims to fortify the electoral process and maintain order across the province during the upcoming polls. The move underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and conducive environment for citizens to exercise their democratic rights.
During the meeting, it was underscored that the forthcoming general elections would mark a historic occasion, as both national and provincial assemblies’ elections are set to be conducted simultaneously in both the settled and merged districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
This synchronized approach is a noteworthy departure from previous election practices, signaling an alignment with contemporary democratic norms.
A total of 45 general seats in the National Assembly and 115 general seats in the Provincial Assembly will be contested in the upcoming elections. The electoral landscape will comprise 15,737 polling stations strategically distributed across the province.
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Out of these, 4,812 have been categorized as the most sensitive, 6,581 as sensitive, and 4,344 as normal. Additionally, 1,919 polling stations are earmarked for the snow-bound areas of the province, taking into account the unique challenges posed by weather conditions.
The registered voter count for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa stands at an impressive 21,692,381 individuals.
Security arrangements for the elections were outlined in detail during the meeting. The most sensitive polling stations, especially in the southern belt and merged districts, will be manned by 11 security personnel each.
Similarly, seven security personnel will be deployed at most sensitive polling stations in the rest of the districts. For sensitive polling stations, seven security personnel will be assigned in the merged and southern districts, while five security personnel will cover similar stations in the rest of the districts. Normal polling stations will see the deployment of four security personnel in the merged and southern districts and four or five in the rest of the districts.
Despite the meticulous planning, the government faces a challenge in meeting the required number of security personnel. Presently, only 89,959 police personnel are available, creating a shortfall of 25,471. In an effort to bridge this gap, the Ministry of Interior has been approached to secure additional support, including four Wings of Frontier Corps and 165 Platoons of Frontier Constabulary.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2024.