RAWALPINDI: Over a hundred polling stations, established for the upcoming Cantonment Board elections, were declared sensitive and the Election Commission asked law enforcement agencies to deploy extra force at these polling stations.

Some 115 polling stations, out of a total of 216, in the 20 wards of Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonments were declared sensitive. The Police Special Branch and other law enforcement agencies submitted a report to the Election Commission, stating that fighting may erupt at these stations on Election Day.

A total of 47 polling stations in Chaklala Cantonment and 68 polling stations in Rawalpindi Cantonment have been declared sensitive. In Rawalpindi, there are over 264, 571 registered voters while in Chaklala 126,547 will be casting their votes.

Read: PTI, PPP form groups to take part in cantt elections

The last Cantonment Board elections were held in 1998 and Rawalpindi and Chaklala had not yet been divided into separate boards. Since the Chaklala Cantonment Board was established in 2003, local elections will be taking place here for the first time.

A meeting was held at the Station Headquarters to review arrangements made for the polling day, with the RCB and the CCB Presidents and the Station Commander Brigadier Zahid Rana in the chair. Election Commission representatives, RCB and CCB returning officers and law enforcement agencies also participated in the meeting.

An official, privy to the meeting, told Dawn that the decision to deploy 10 policemen at each sensitive polling station was made during the meeting. It was also decided that army teams would patrol the roads, outside the polling stations, to deal with any untoward situation.

He said that the political parties and candidates would establish camps 300 meters away from the polling stations and the police would not allow anyone carrying arms to come near the polling stations.

The official said all efforts would be made to ensure the security of voters and the candidates and law enforcement agencies had been directed to beef up the security at all polling stations.  

When contacted, RCB Cantonment Executive Officer Fahim Zafar Khan who is also the returning officer for the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board said that the meeting was held to review the arrangements for polling day.

He said that although, all polling stations were sensitive, 115 polling stations were identified as being more sensitive due to reports of expected clashes between rival political groups.

Mr Khan said it would be ensured that the code of conduct is followed. He said the election commission has already banned the use of loud speakers and large banners and posters.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2015

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