KARACHI, July 21: Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, while reviewing arrangements made for the first phase of local government elections in 11 districts of Sindh, stressed the need for strict enforcement of the relevant code of conduct. He impressed upon the officials concerned to help conduct free and fair election in a peaceful atmosphere.

Justice Dogar was presiding over a high-level meeting at the Sindh Assembly building here on Thursday.

He inquired about the press reports concerning postings and transfers of officials, and also asked for a detailed report specifying vacant posts within this week.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Election Commissioner Ahmad Ali Halepota, Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman, ACS Saleem Khan, Home Secretary Brig Mohtarem, IGP Asad Jehangir, district & sessions judges/DROs of 11 districts and other senior officials. Two members of the provincial election commissions of Sindh and Punjab were also present.

Briefing about law and order in Sindh, the home secretary told the meeting that law-enforcement agencies were fully capable of maintaining peace. He pointed out that the overall situation in the province was far better than it prevailed on the eve of the previous elections.

He said that Section 144 had already been imposed across Sindh and sensitive polling stations in the province, especially Karachi, had been identified. In Karachi, he added, strategies for maintaining law and order were under constant review.

The IGP gave details of the police force and the strategy for its deployment. He said additional police force from interior Sindh and reserve police would be kept ready to meet any shortfall when needed.

He told the meeting that control rooms had been set up in every district and communication plans chalked out. He said pre-election dialogues had also been held with political leaders and candidates.

The IGP said that out of the total 3,400 polling stations in Karachi, 90 per cent were sensitive.

The number of security personnel to be deployed at sensitive polling stations would be double than at the other stations, he added.

The chief secretary informed the meeting that all directives of the EC were being implemented in letter and spirit. He sought the CEC’s permission for filling the vacant posts in the newly-created districts.

Various district & sessions judges/DROs brought the problems being faced by returning officers and their assistants to the notice of the CEC, who directed the chief secretary to look into the same and take appropriate steps to resolve them.

The CEC also issued directive for provision of vehicles to ROs in Karachi to facilitate fulfilment of their assigned duties. He asked for provision of 4x4 vehicles to those ROs and AROs who were supposed to travel through desert/ mountainous areas.

Earlier, Sindh Election Commissioner Ahmed Ali Halepota, welcoming the CEC and other participants of the meeting, pointed out that no election-related complaint had been received from any corner of the 11 districts where election was being held in the first phase.