Election security: 160 polling stations shortlisted for surveillance

Police initially proposed a long list of 250 sites.

LAHORE:

Security SP Abdul Ghaffar Qaisrani has confirmed that a list of 160 polling stations out of 500 had been shortlisted for installing CCTV cameras during elections.

He said the shortlisted polling stations included some where brawls took place during last elections. He said he was unaware of any list of more than 150 sensitive people.

He said 80 sensitive polling stations were in City Division, 98 in Iqbal Town, 78 in Civil Lines, 58 in Cantonment, 68 in Model Town and 118 at Saddar Division. He said 12,000 police personnel along with special police and volunteers would be deployed at the polling stations during elections.

Police had identified 160 polling stations out of the 500 considered ‘sensitive’ for the city district government to install closed-circuit cameras on the polling day.

The list has been revised after surveillance of 500 polling stations was was found to be too expensive.

Earlier, police had come up with a list of 250 sites. Each of the polling stations will have four closed-circuit cameras.

Eighteen candidates have been listed amongst those needing tight security. They include former chief ministers, former prime ministers and party heads.

DCO’s Staff Officer Tariq Zaman told The Express Tribune the installation of four cameras each at 160 polling stations would cost between Rs5 and 6 million. He said the process for renting cameras was under way.

He said a list of more than 150 non-VIP people had also been complied. They too would be provided security. He said these people included religious leaders from various sects and minorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th, 2013.