Second phase: ECP to take up Sindh election security issue (National)

Commission likely to postpone elections in Badin, order more security for Sanghar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Naushero Feroz

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: Amid growing security concerns in some districts of Sindh going for local government polls in the second phase of the exercise, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza has convened a meeting at the Election Commission of Pakistan headquarters today (Saturday).

During the first phase of the polls violent clashes between rival groups left around 12 people dead in Khairpur district, the hometown of the chief minister of Sindh.

Security agencies fear a similar situation in some of the 15 districts where elections will be held on November 19, especially in Badin and Sanghar. Rangers and police officials will begin routine patrols in these 15 districts today (Saturday) in any case, the provincial authorities decided on Friday.

The Sindh chief secretary, additional chief secretary of the province’s home department and inspector general of police of Sindh have been called for the meeting to review security and arrangement for the polls.

The district returning officers (DROs) of Badin, Sanghar, Tharparkar, Umerkot and  Naushero Feroz have also been asked to attend.

ECP sources said the commission might postpone polls in Badin where opposition groups accuse the DRO of bias. They accuse the DRO, who is also the district coordination officer of Badin, of appointing polling staff and formulating a polling scheme to benefit the ruling party of the province.

The ECP is also likely to order additional security for the other four districts, the DROs of which will attend today’s meeting.

It has already been decided that six companies of Pakistan Army will be deputed in Sindh for areas tagged most sensitive.

However the army troops will remain as back-up while police and paramilitary Rangers will guard polling stations.

Some political parties wanted army troops in and outside the polling stations.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Sindh government on law and order on Friday decided that Rangers and police will begin patrolling in districts.

“Five to 10 policemen and two Rangers will be deployed in polling stations deemed most sensitive,” announced Sindh Information Minister Nisar Khuhro after the meeting. “The army will remain on standby.”

The Sindh government has also decided to impose a ban on private security guards and suspend all arms licences for three days from November 17.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2015.