LARKANA, Aug 12: The army will patrol sensitive areas in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts on the polling day of the local body elections. Speaking at a meeting of candidates of the two districts on Friday, Col Tahir Aziz, Commandant, Shahbaz Rangers, said Rangers and police would look after the law and order so that voters could use their right to vote in a peaceful atmosphere.

He called upon candidates to follow the Election Commission’s code of conduct and assured maintaining security at all cost.

“The government is determined holding local body elections in free, fair and transparent manner to mature the political system”, he said.

Calling the people of Larkana politically mature, Col Tahir hoped that they would prove to be law-abiding citizen during the local body polls.

He said video cameras would be installed and section 144 CrPC imposed to monitor the polling process.

He said a complaint cell would be set up by Rangers to solve people’s grievances.

On the occasion, candidates of the Awam Dost panel from Badah, Athar Abbas Solangi and Mohammed Khan Channo, accused Sindh minister Altaf Unnar of using state machinery for canvassing and harassing voters.

They alleged that TPO Dokri and SHO Bakrani had registered false FIRs against ADP candidates and supporters.

Hayat Shaikh from UC Nasirabad, Muhib Pirzado (UC Moenjodaro), Shahnawaz Chandio (UC Gaibidero), Mohammed Khan Chandio (UC Mirpur) called for army’s deployment on the polling day.

Shahnawaz Chandio alleged that the TPO Qambar was harassing supporters of ADP candidates.

Rejecting charges of Manzoor Choliani of Warah, Qurban Abbasi a candidate from Larkana and Farooque Jagirani from Qambar said there was no trouble in the area.

They called for foolproof security arrangements on the polling day to avoid any eventuality.

The DCO, officials of the police department and notables attended the meeting.