Army to be used as quick response force in LG polls, says ECP

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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday decided that the military would be used as a quick response force in the second phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh.

The decision was taken in a meeting led by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan on Wednesday. The ECP said that personnel from the military and Rangers would not be deployed at each polling station during the LG polls scheduled to be held on November 19.

However, it added that the army and Rangers personnel would only be deployed where there is a need. It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab and Sindh had requested the ECP to deploy military and paramilitary forces in the provinces on polling day. During the meeting the CEC said negligence would not be tolerated in the next phase of LG elections.

He called upon all the institutions to play their role in maintaining peace during the polls. Defence secretary, interior secretary and police inspector generals (IGs) of Punjab and Sindh were also present in the meeting. The police chiefs of Punjab and Sindh gave briefing about law and order situation in the provinces.

Meanwhile, ECP secretary said sensitive localities in both the provinces were marked in the meeting. The ECP summoned a list of sensitive districts in Punjab and Sindh for the second phase.

A meeting of the commission was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sardar Raza in the federal capital.

While discussing the security situation for the second phase of LB elections, the authorities ordered the provinces to file a list of sensitive and most sensitive constituencies. The Punjab representative told the commission that Hafizabad is the most sensitive area in the second phase.

The representative said that a clash is likely in the constituency. Similarly in Sindh, the Badin and Sanghar areas have been termed the most sensitive areas.

Authorities have decided to use Pakistan Army as a quick response force in the second phase.