Volatile times: District administration orders heightened security near poll offices

Additional assistant commissioners assigned areas to check on code of conduct.

PESHAWAR: As attacks on political activists increase, the district administration has ordered police to tighten security for candidates and election offices.

In a meeting held at the district administration office on Monday, additional assistant commissioners (AAC) were assigned areas where they will be responsible to check security arrangements every day.

They will also hold a meeting with contesting candidates of their respective areas to ensure implementation of the code of conduct made by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

“The security situation in Peshawar is not satisfactory, but we are trying to do our best by taking extra security measures,” said Assistant Commissioner Asad Haroon, urging election candidates to coordinate with authorities and inform them before holding any meetings.



He further said all police stations have been told to increase patrolling, particularly in areas where political parties have set up offices for their election campaign.

Last week, Deputy Commissioner Javed Marwat had called a meeting of all candidates from Peshawar to discuss security arrangements at public gatherings and rallies.

In the all-parties conference (APC) convened on April 17, the caretaker government asked all political parties to hold rallies and election meetings in closed streets, compounds or within boundary walls so every visitor can be checked before entering.

However, some parties, notably the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, are still holding large gatherings in open spaces as part of their election campaigns.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2013.