QUETTA, Dec 6: While Punjab and Sindh continue to dither over when and how to hold local government elections, Balochistan shows the way and claims to have made adequate preparations for the polls set for Saturday.

Although there are obstructions, like an appeal by some parties to voters to stay away from the polling booths and kidnapping of some of the candidates elected unopposed, the provincial government and the Election Commission of Pakistan have expressed confidence to go ahead with the exercise and come up to the expectations of the people of the province.

The provincial government has declared Saturday as public-holiday and made extensive security arrangements. Under section 144, pillion riding has been banned in the province till Dec 10.

“Arrangements have been finalised to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in a smooth manner.” ECP Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan said at a press conference after a meeting held to review poll arrangements. The meeting was presided over by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk.

At the meeting, Balochistan Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad and provincial Election Commissioner Syed Sultan Bayazeed briefed the acting CEC on poll arrangements.

The ECP secretary said 18,000 candidates were contesting the elections in 4600 constituencies. Six million ballot papers have been sent to the 32 districts of the province. He said 33,000 polling staff had been appointed for 5,800 polling stations.

Over 54,000 personnel of the army, Frontier Corps, Balochistan Constabulary, police and Levies Force will be deployed in and around the polling stations and at sensitive points. More than 5,000 army troops will be on standby as a quick response force to deal with any untoward situation. Helicopters will be used for surveillance in sensitive areas.

He said the date of the elections had been fixed in accordance with the directives of Supreme Court and praised the provincial government for having made adequate arrangements in limited time.

He appealed to people to cast their votes as they had done during general elections.

The interest being taken by people in the polls, he said, was evident from the number of candidates.

In the first phase 22,000 candidates had filed nomination papers and after withdrawal, 18,000 remain in the field.