Election security: Pakistan Army, Rangers on standby

LAHORE:

As many as 44 companies of Pakistan Army and six companies of Rangers have been deployed for security duties in sensitive areas.

Home Secretary Azam Suleman Khan told newsmen on Thursday that the government had written to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), seeking deployment of troops for the polls.

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said in a statement the troops had been called in by the civil administration for maintenance of law and order. The statement said Pakistan Army would assist law enforcement agencies where required.

The traffic police and emergency service Rescue 1122 also finalised plans for the polling day. As many as 1,100 traffic wardens, including 100 female wardens, 112 traffic inspectors, four women traffic inspectors and 13 DSPs would be deployed on the occasion under the supervision of two SPs to monitor traffic.  Traffic officials have been deployed near election offices, the Town Hall, the Commissioner’s Office and district courts. Officials under the flying squad DSP would provide food and water to wardens.

Rescue 1122 officials said DG Arshad Zia had enforced a red code following the October 26 earthquake. He said 30 Rescue ambulances, 15 fire vehicles, four Rescue vehicles and five specialised vehicles would be on standby on the polling day.

A spokesman for Edhi Foundation said that the service was on high-alert. He said all ambulances of the foundation would remain on standby on 16 points in the city. Lahore police have also devised a comprehensive security plan.

A police spokesman said the city had been divided into 12 zones and a control room has been set up at DIG Operations Office to supervise the security operation. As many as 18,000 police officials would be deployed for security duties. Teams from the Quick Response Force will patrol the city. Metal detectors and walkthrough gates have been set up at polling stations. The Health Department has put public hospitals on alert to cope with emergencies during local government elections. A directive issued by the health secretary said medicines, blood and ambulances should be available at hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2015.