The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared 1,791 locations extremely sensitive ahead of the local government elections and has summoned the Pakistan Army over security concerns in Karachi.
ECP Secretary Babar Yaqub on Saturday, chairing a meeting held to review the preparations for the third phase of LB polls, confirmed that as many as 20 companies of the Pakistan Army would be deployed in the city to maintain peace and order on the polling day. He said the ECP had requested for deployment of 7,400 army soldiers on the occasion of LB polls.
The ECP secretary complained that some of the federal institutions were not cooperating with the ECP for the conduct of LB polls. He also said that they were short of staff at all polling stations.
According to reports, all the arms licenses would remain cancelled one day before the polls. The areas declared highly sensitive include Lines Area, Landhi, Ghans Mandi and Liyari.
The last phase of LB polls in Sindh will conclude after the conduct of elections in Karachi on December 5. All political parties are eyeing mayorship of Karachi as they have nominated strong candidates to contest for the post.
