PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have recommended a proposed plan to the home and tribal affairs department for working out a better and effective arrangement for the forthcoming local government by-elections in the province.

The proposals contained in a letter police chief Nasir Khan Durrani wrote to the home department on Friday. It suggested increasing the number of polling booths as mismanagement and violence were reported due to limited polling booths on the occasion of local body elections on May 30. The IGP also suggested pitching tents in sufficient number outside the polling stations to provide the voters with shelter from sizzling heat.

Mr Durrani recommended installation of CCTV cameras inside the polling booths so as to effectively put an end to the chances of rigging and ensure fair and transparent elections. It has been recommended to impose section 144 on the polling day banning taking out of processions to celebrate victory.

Meanwhile, the police chief issued a special circular to all regional and district police officers of the province directing them to make foolproof security arrangements for the local body

by-election. They were directed to ensure that no function was arranged without prior permission of the local police.

The police officers were asked to deploy from 15 to 20 policemen on every polling station which will be in addition of the reserve police. They were directed to create a big security zone near every polling station and not allow carrying of arms, motorcycles and vehicles near it. The police chief directed that every voter should be thoroughly checked before entry into the polling station. — Bureau Report

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2015

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