Bahawalpur DPO reviews security for local govt polls

BAHAWALPUR:

Necessary security measures will be taken at all polling stations in Bahawalpur district, District Police Officer Sarfraz Ahmad Falki said at a meeting at the Committee Room of the DPO Office on Sunday to review security for the third phase of the local government elections.

Additional SP Capt (r) Ghulam Murtaza and all the SDPOs and SHOs of the district attended the meeting.

Falki said it was absolutely necessary to ensure peaceful and fair elections. He directed the officials to make a security plan for election campaigns ahead of the polling day. He said a peaceful environment was necessary for election activity. Falki urged the SDPOs and the SHOs to ensure that the election commission’s code of conduct for elections was observed by candidates in their respective areas. He said the candidates must submit their licensed weapons at police stations during election campaigns.

He said the ban on post-election celebratory firing and rallies must be enforced and strict action should be taken against those who disturbed the peace.

“All police officials should be properly briefed about their duties the polling day ahead of time.”

He said there must be appropriate distance between candidates’ camps and polling stations in accordance with the ECP’s directions. Strict action will be taken against violators.

“It is our responsibility to organise free and fair elections and we will not let the people down…all officials and staff members must be completely free of bias and should divert all their attention and energy towards making the elections free and fair.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd,  2015.