PESHAWAR, April 15: The caretaker provincial government has requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to permit it to provide police security to certain candidates keeping in view the level of threats and circumstances in the province.

The chief minister also directed security measures for the politicians and candidates, who had received threats from militants, said a statement issued by home and tribal affairs department here on Monday.

A committee comprising commissioner of relevant division, regional police officer and capital city police officer and members of intelligence agencies will decide about providing such security to the candidates, it added.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had decided in a meeting on January 2, 2013 that each candidate would be allowed to keep five security guards for his protection.

However, antecedent of guards will be verified by police and intelligence agencies to ensure that no anti-social elements escort the candidates.

In this connection, the provincial government has asked the divisional administration and police to arrange meetings with all the candidates and leading politicians in their areas and apprise them of the ECP decision.

The candidates will have to provide five names for verification of antecedents, if anyone so desires.

The deputy director of Provincial Election Commission, Khush Zada, when contacted, said that the decision taken by ECP was intact and there was no change in it so far.