Police tighten election security

In order to ensure smooth and transparent conduct of the upcoming national elections slated for February 8, 2024, the Rawalpindi police have been directed to implement robust security measures for political gatherings and foreign media representatives.

In this regard, security has been tightened and strict plans have been made to ensure that the upcoming elections are held in a smooth and peaceful manner. The police have been tasked with being extra vigilant of political and religious figures’ safety.

During the election fever that precedes the elections, political gatherings require extra security. The media, including foreign media representatives, are also increasingly active at this time and the police have been asked to especially ensure their safety.

Provisions have also been made to encourage important figures and relevant personnel to take caution and ensure their safety. For this purpose, police officers have been ordered to regularly keep in touch with political leaders contesting the elections from their respective areas. They are to inform them of the security situation in the city and any potential threats daily.

The political and religious figures have also been briefed on communicating any unusual occurrence or presence of threats to the police. To make this happen, it has been encouraged that police officers exchange contact details with the relevant persons whose security is mandated.

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Rawalpindi SSP Operations, Hafiz Kamran, on behalf of CPO Khalid Hamdani, has issued a circular to all the SPs, including SP Rawal, SP Potohar, SP Sadar Division and all sub-divisional police officers as well as SHOs of three divisions of Rawalpindi, instructing them to provide special security to political and religious figures in light of the upcoming elections.

The period leading up to elections is generally sensitive in terms of political tensions and security since it is also when certain threatening elements such as terrorist organisations may be active and may seek to disrupt a peaceful election.

Police officers have also been instructed to visit polling stations in their respective areas before the polling day to ensure that political parties and candidates are strictly adhering to the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan when setting up their election camps.

Similarly, police officers have been instructed to provide foolproof security to foreign media representatives coming for election coverage. It is reported that in the light of these orders, the security of election offices as well as that of political leaders and religious figures has been increased.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2024.