June 22, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 17, 1429

RAWALPINDI, June 21: The returning officer for PP-10 Rawalpindi-X here on Saturday declared Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif as returned candidate in the by-elections.

The decision came after a full bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) Lahore set aside the decision of an appellant tribunal which accepted the nomination papers of Shahid Orakzai the only other candidate in the constituency.

The RO Mujahid Mustqeem in a public notice declared PML-N President Mian Shahbaz as elected unopposed from PP-10 and cited the ruling of LHC bench, which accepted the writ petition filed by Raja Ashfaq Sarwar and others against the appellant bench ruling.

In his public notice the RO stated that according to the section 20 of Representatives of the People Act 1976 Mr Sharif was declared as successful in an uncontested election.

On the other hand the Election Commission had completed its preparations for the June 26 by-elections and the duties had been assigned to staff. The elections would be held in two National Assembly and one provincial assembly seats in Pindi. After the PP-10 decision, the elections will be held in NA-52 Rawalpindi- III and NA-55 Rawalpindi-VI.

Meanwhile the city police have finalised their security arrangements keeping in mind the prevalent security concerns owing to the terrorism threats in the twin cities.

About 6664 police men will be deputed under the supervision of city police officer as part of security arrangements.

According to the data obtained from the office of regional police officer (RPO) 5,581 constables, 276 head constables, 576 assistant sub inspectors, 210 sub inspectors, 18 inspectors, seven deputy superintendents of police, three superintendents of police and senior superintendent of police Operations will be deputed to maintain law and order situation during the polling.

Out of total 671 polling stations, police have put 77 in category A, the most sensitive, 203 in B and 391 in C category to maintain peace on June 26.