The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to deploy Army and Pakistan Rangers for local government elections in Karachi.
The ECP has also given powers of Magistrate-I to Rangers and Army that would enable paramilitary personnel to take action under Anti-Terrorism Act during the local government elections in the strife-torn city.
According to the notification issued Tuesday, the military and the paramilitary personnel would be able to take action under anti-terrorism act during the local government elections in Sindh, scheduled for December 5.
Pakistan Rangers Sindh personnel are authorized to move into polling stations and take preventive actions like arrest/detention in case breakdown of law and order is imminent, the notification said.
The third phase of LG election in Sindh would be conducted in Karachi East, Karachi West, Karachi Central, Karachi South, Malir and Korangi.
Of total of 4,141 polling stations in Karachi for the third phase of the local government elections, 243 of them have been declared normal for security , while rest of them are categorized either as sensitive or highly sensitive.
The ECP said all polling stations in District Central and Korangi have been declared either sensitive or highly sensitive.
Similarly, 859 polling stations were declared sensitive in District Central of the city.
