On-guard: Malakand DIG confident over election security plan

20,000 security officials will be deployed at 1,930 polling stations across the division.

MINGORA: A comprehensive security plan has been chalked out for Malakand division on Election Day and 20,000 police officials will be deployed, said the division’s deputy inspector general of police (DIG) on Friday.

“For successful and peaceful polls, we have already prepared a plan and security forces will assist the police,” he said.

About 518 candidates are contesting for 21 provincial assembly and seven National Assembly seats and 1,983 polling stations have been set up across Malakand. “338 polling stations are highly sensitive, while 670 are sensitive and 975 are normal,” he added.

The candidates have also been provided security and police will be deployed at every polling station, said the DIG, adding that 178 checkpoints have been set up across the division.

To deal with any untoward situation, additional police officials and vehicles have been given to every police station in the division. A total of 6,000 special police personnel and 3,000 regular police officials are currently working in the division.  “Retired police officials and security guards from other departments have also been called in for duty.”

Women officials will also be stationed at female polling stations. The security situation in Malakand is relatively better than the rest of the country and the division’s police are well-trained, well-equipped and prepared to handle any situation, the DIG claimed.

He asked people to assist law enforcement agencies to identify or report anything suspicious in the days ahead.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2013.