Balochistan readies for secure polls
As the Feb 8 polls in Balochistan draw near, preparations have been finalised for 16 National Assembly and 51 provincial assembly seats.
During a news conference in Quetta, Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC) Farid Ahmed Afridi assured the people of full cooperation with all stakeholders to ensure the holding of elections in a peaceful and transparent manner.
Afridi disclosed that out of a total of 5,026 polling stations in the province, 1651 were marked as most sensitive, whereas 2,249 as sensitive.
To guarantee the smooth conduct of the electoral process, a comprehensive training programme has been completed for 51,379 polling officers and other staff involved, he added.
Read Security arrangements for election day reviewed
Highlighting the paramount importance of security, the PEC stated that 30,943 security personnel had been strategically deployed to maintain law and order during the elections.
In a bid to address security concerns in the most sensitive polling stations, arrangements were being made for satellite internet, given the shutdown of regular internet services.
These security measures aim to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and create an environment conducive to free and fair elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th 2024.