Election Commission (ECP) Secretary Babar Yaqoob said on Saturday that some federal institutions are not cooperating regarding Local Bodies (LB) polls.
He was chairing a meeting held to observe the preparations for the third phase of LB polls.
According to details, Provincial Election Commissioner Tanveer Zaki, Chief Secretary Sindh Siddique Memon, Interior Secretary and other high level officials participated in the meeting. Babar Yaqoob said that they are facing lack of staff on all polling stations. He said that they have requested the deployment of army in some polling stations due to security reasons.
Babar Yaqoob said that there are 1,791 highly sensitive, 2,116 sensitive and 224 normal polling stations in Karachi. Sensitive areas include Lines Area, Shah Faisal, Landhi, Khokhrapar, Gulistan-e-Johar, Ghas Mandi and Mehmoodabad areas. He said that there will be 7 policemen appointed on highly sensitive polling stations, 6 on sensitive and 5 at normal polling stations.
The ECP secretary said that they have requested the deployment of 7,400 army soldiers on the occasion of LB polls. He further said that all the arms licenses will be cancelled one day before the polls.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) on Thursday strongly demanded deployment of army personnel inside and outside the polling stations in third phase of local bodies election in Karachi.
The leaders of PTI and JI while talking to media urged the local government to appoint army soldiers on the day of election.
PTI’s Ali Zaidi stated that the deputation of army would ensure transparent polling.
All political parties are eyeing mayorship of Karachi as they have nominated strong candidates to contest for the post.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Karachi chief, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman belonging to North Nazimabad is contesting for mayorship against MQM’s Akhtar among other contenders. Ali Zaidi is representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in majorship candidacy.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is likely to nominate Karachi division’s president, Najmi Aalim for mayorship. On other hand, Awami National Party (ANP) has not put forth a name for mayorship yet.
The last phase of LB polls in Sindh will be concluded after holding elections in Karachi on December 5.