February 12, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 04 ,1429

ATTOCK, Feb 11: The district administration has declared 231 polling stations in Attock sensitive and would deploy about 5000 security personnel at the polling stations and other surrounding areas on election day on February 18.

Three army platoons had also been called in to assist the law enforcing agencies during the election.

Briefing newsmen about the security plan for six tehsils of Attock, the district police officer (DPO), Tariq Hanif Joiya said about 755 polling stations had been set up, which were administratively divided into 13 sectors and 78 sub-sectors. An SHO would be the head of each sector while sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) would take care of six police circles of the district.

He said a control room would be set up at district police headquarters, where he would monitor the over all security arrangements on the polling day.

Out of total 755 polling stations, 42 were declared very sensitive and 189 sensitive (A-category), where elite force and extra policemen would be deployed.

Besides deploying 1702 police officials, 200 traffic wardens, 165 personnel of Punjab constabulary and 2950 razaqars of civil defence, excise, forest and retired army men would assist the law enforcement agencies on polling day, he said.

Escorts would be provided to the polling staff to carry ballot papers and other election material from the office of returning officers (ROs) to polling stations and back to the respective ROs safely after the concluding of election process, he maintained.

He said leaves of the employees of district police had been cancelled. Law enforcement agencies personnel would also be deployed at all sensitive points of the district including main markets, Bazars, bus stands, railway stations to keep vigil on anti-social elements.

All SDPOs and Station House Officers (SHOs) have been directed to personally patrol the areas of their jurisdiction and keep an eye on the violation of code of conduct of Election Commission of Pakistan.

Display of arms would be banned and no person would be allowed to create hurdle and violence on the election day and if any one was found involved in any violation, would be dealt with iron hands, he warned.

The DPO said that police staff had been directed to remain impartial because their major responsibility is to maintain law and order situation and provide security to the polling staff and voters.

On the directive of Inspector General Police Punjab, special crack down has also been launched on proclaimed offenders, absconders and other wanted criminals hidden at Kala Chita mountainous range and near Indus belt to pre-empt their anti social activities on such occasion, the DPO added.