LAHORE: The upcoming elections in Punjab are initially costing Rs1.5 billion to the province, and going to be held under the alert eye of around 375,000 army and police personnel.

According to official sources on Saturday, the provincial government has already issued the Rs1.5 billion for the expenditure.

And estimated 120,663 army personnel would be deployed at polling stations. Two soldiers would be detailed inside a polling station and another two outside. Similarly, 250,000 policemen would also perform election duty. Half of them would be from regular police and the remaining from investigation, special branch, reserves and Counter-Terrorism Department.

375,000 army, police personnel to perform duties

Police would patrol streets, provide security outside the polling stations, guard against any election day violence or acts of terrorism.

There are 47,380 polling stations in the province that have been divided into three categories. Category A is very sensitive because of past history of violence, high-profile candidates, candidates facing threats, and sectarian tensions like in Jhang. There are 16,056 less sensitive polling stations and 25,402 normal.

The sources said additional army personnel and police would be deployed in and around the most sensitive polling stations for protection of candidates, voters and to guard against any attempts at rigging elections. The cost of this would be met from the Rs1.5bn issued. More funds would be released if required, a senior official said. “We have to pay the army,” he added.

-Officials said all returning officers and other election staff concerned had been provided vehicles by the provincial government. These vehicles had been acquired on rent by the respective deputy commissioners.

They said the Election Commission of Pakistan had pointed out 470 polling stations that lacked basic facilities such as washrooms, boundary walls, electricity, water etc, and the local government department had been asked to ensure immediate provision of these facilities.

The code of conduct issued by the commission had been circulated to the deputy commissioners for its strict implementation. The code disallows display of weapons, hate speech, wall chalking and sloganeering.

The provincial government is going to establish a central control room in Lahore. Chief Secretary Akbar Durrani has asked all deputy commissioners to establish one each in their districts two days before the elections for monitoring the polls and rapidly acting in case of any emergency.

The divisional and district administrations would work in close liaison with police to ensure fair elections.

“Police and district administration have been conveyed to forget their perpetual tussle of who is superior and work hand in hand as arms of the government,” a senior official said.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2018