ISLAMABAD: A total of 788 polling stations will be established in the capital for the upcoming general election.

Chief Commissioner Aftab Durrani and Inspector General of Islamabad Police (IGP) Dr Sultan Azam Temuri told caretaker Interior Minister Mohammad Azam Khan on Thursday that there will be 356 polling stations for men, 345 for women and 87 joint polling stations across the capital.

IGP Temuri briefed Mr Khan on the security arrangements for the election. He said the polling stations have been divided into three categories.

There are 24 highly sensitive polling stations, which comprise category A, and nine police officials will be deployed at each such station.

A total of 87 stations, which have been declared sensitive, make up category B. Seven police officials will be deployed at category B polling stations.

Category C, which consists of 677 polling stations, is for normal stations. Dr Temuri said five police officials will be deployed at stations in this category.

Around 7,000 police personnel will be involved in security arrangements in the capital, including at polling stations and the roads leading to them, he said.

Feasibility is being prepared for extra manpower from paramilitary personnel, from the Rangers and Frontier Constabulary, and the Azad Kashmir police, and details are being collected in this regard as well, he said.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2018