13 polling stations added to highly sensitive list

ECP increases the number from 168 to 181 on the recommendations of security agencies

KARACHI:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), while acting on the recommendations of security agencies, has added 13 more polling stations in Hyderabad district to the highly sensitive list raising the total from 168 to 181. These poll- ing stations will now have the presence of not only local police but also special personnel from the Pakistan Army and Rangers. The district police have finalised a foolproof security plan for the upcoming general elections.

A total of 883 polling stations have been designated for three National Assembly and six Sindh Assembly seats within Hyderabad district. Out of these, 34 are allocated for men, 327 for women, and 214 are joint polling stations. Moreover, seven temporary polling stations will be set up in open spaces. The total count of poll- ing booths will reach 3,218, including 1,700 for male and 1,518 for female voters.

Initially, the ECP had identified 168 polling stations as “highly sensitive” out of the 883, but due to the evolving situation, this number has been increased to 181. Moreover, 365 polling stations are now classified as “sensitive”, while 337 are considered normal. Security personnel from the Pakistan Army and Rangers will be deployed at the “highly sensitive” polling stations. Army commandos will be on standby for immediate deployment, if required.

Read: ECP designates 50% of polling stations as sensitive

Meanwhile, the district police have finalised an extensive security plan for the elections. District police spokesperson Owais Rajput announced that over 4,500 police personnel will be deployed across the district. Hyderabad has been divided into six zones, 13 sectors, and 28 sub-sectors for security purposes on the election day. SP rank officers will oversee the zones, DSP rank officers will supervise the sectors, and SHOs will supervise the sub-sectors. To enhance security arrangements, a quick response force (QRF) comprising 40 vehicles and 320 personnel has been established.

This force can be promptly deployed in case of emergencies. In addition, DSPs and SHOs, equipped with 41 mobiles, along with 300 police officers, will be patrolling the roads continuously. A dedicated election cell has been set up in the SSP office in Hyderabad ahead of the elections. This cell, operating around the clock, will function as the central control room of SSP Hyderabad starting February 8, monitoring the situation continuously. In addition to the election cell, a separate QRF Control Room is also being established to oversee and control QRF affairs.

It’s worth noting that 1,225,147 registered voters, out of a total population of 2,432,540, including 662,713 male and 562,434 female voters, will exercise their right to vote in Hyderabad district.