October 3, 2002	Thursday	Rajab 25, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: The chief election commissioner on Wednesday asked the law enforcement agencies to be extra vigilant and remain alert throughout the election period, particularly, on the polling day and post election period.

The CEC said in a meeting that it was for the law enforcement agencies to evolve a strategy to combat any untoward situation that was “likely to be confronted during the entire election period.”

The chief election commissioner, Justice Irshad Hasan Khan, reviewed the arrangements to conduct the forthcoming general elections, 2002 with particular reference to maintenance of law and order during pre-polling period, on the polling day and the post election period, an EC announcement said.

The meeting was attended by all the members of Election Commission, secretary EC, additional secretary, ministry of interior, secretary Safron, chief commissioner, Islamabad, and chief secretaries and home secretaries and inspectors generals of police of all the provinces.

The EC announcement said all the participants from the federal government and the provincial governments gave comprehensive briefings to the chief election commissioner about their respective security plans for the forthcoming general elections.

The EC announcement said that the CEC termed the security arrangements as “reassuring”.

The CEC observed that a heavy duty lies on the executive authorities in the federation and in the provinces and, in particular, on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the elections were held in a peaceful manner and without any interference from any quarter whatsoever.

The CEC said he was conscious of the fact that terrorist activities were on the increase due to various factors. “Nevertheless, to check the commission of heinous offences and disorderliness on the polling day, preventive measures must be taken by the law enforcing agencies in view of the bleak scenario, which has emerged with the passage of time on account of lack of respect for the rule of law.”

The CEC asked them to take appropriate steps to reassure the people that the writ of law exists in Pakistan and shall be followed justly, fairly, equitably and without discrimination.

The EC announcement further said that it welcomed the international observers to observe the pre-poll arrangements, voting process and counting of votes by the presiding officers at the close of the polls. They may also witness the preparation of preliminary results by the returning officers of their respective constituencies.

It said that the EC had already issued directives to the federal government and the provincial governments to provide necessary facilities including security arrangements for the international observers to facilitate their objective to visit polling stations and see for themselves the transparency of the election process.

The Election Commission is also arranging necessary briefing sessions for the international observers in the Election Commission Secretariat at Islamabad and in the offices of the provincial election commissioners and necessary briefing material is being provided to the observers. Entry passes will be issued to them for having free access to the polling sites.