Caretaker Punjab CM assures foolproof security for party leaders, candidates

LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi presided over a high-level meeting in which arrangement for elections, security matters and law and order were discussed.

The meeting decided to provide foolproof security to all main leaders of the political parties. The meeting also decided to provide box security for the movement of main leaders of political parties along with the other necessary cover for the contesting candidates.

Addressing the meeting, interim CM Rizvi said security plan has been made for political parties during their election campaign. He said security will also be provided for rallies and public gatherings as per the decided plan.

“Special arrangements will be made to maintain law and order at sensitive polling stations. Polling stations will be monitored through CCTV cameras,” he added.

The interim CM said good quality CCTV cameras should be used in a professional manner and directed that there should be no complaint regarding any malfunctioning. He said the security plan for rallies and public gatherings should be strictly implemented.

Rizvi said: “Participants of public gatherings should be scanned through walkthrough gates. Holding free and fair elections is our national responsibility and our focus is the to provide all political parties with equal opportunities.”

He said transparent elections are the main responsibility of the interim government, therefore, there should not be any difference between plans and their implementation. He said the best administration should workout plans for any expected incident. The interim CM directed that poling material should be transported under strict security and polling staff should also be provided foolproof security.

He said the security of polling booths and ballot boxes should also be ensured, adding there should not be any delay in the transportation of the results to returning officers. He said necessary security arrangements will be made for the protection of life and property of the people and public places.

The interim CM said the system of intelligence-sharing should be made more effective, and political parties should avoid confrontation and clashes, and keep the general environment peaceful. He said indecent statements should be avoided during the election campaign, adding that the ECP code of conduct should be strictly implemented. He said the joint efforts of law enforcement agencies and other concerning departments are drastically needed.

The interim CM directed that concerning departments and institutions should discharge their duties with the best coordination. He directed advance arrangement to face flooding due to the upcoming monsoon rains.

The meeting was briefed about arrangements for the 2018 polls and security arrangements. Interim ministers Zia Haider Rizvi, Shaukat Javed, Ahmed Waqas Riaz, chief secretary, IGP, additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary of home, senior officers of civilian and military institutions attended the meeting.