HYDERABAD: Regional Elec­tion Commissioner Hyderabad Aijaz Anwar Chohan has said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would not compromise on the code of conduct set for the general elections.

He was presiding over a meeting here on Monday to review arrangements for holding the general elections. It discussed at length the security arrangements, implementation of the ECP code of conduct upon the contesting parties and individuals as well as nomination of polling agents of candidates.

Hyderabad Deputy Commis­sioner Mohammad Aslam Soomro, SSP Adeel Chandio and officials of relevant departments attended the meeting.

Mr Chohan asked the officials to ensure implementation of the code of conduct as well as foolproof security for the peaceful holding of the election in a free, fair and impartial manner.

Meanwhile, Sukkur Commis­sioner Manzoor Shaikh on Monday directed the deputy commissioners of Sukkur, Khairpur and Ghotki to make sure that polling staff was made available to the election commission in their respective districts.

He told the DCs that logistic support must be provided to the election staff in accordance with the directions and guidelines issued by the ECP. He issued the directives during a meeting held in his office to review arrangements for the July 25 general election.

He directed all departments concerned to ensure foolproof security and other required facilities at and around polling stations.

LARKANA: Deputy Inspector General of Police Larkana Javed Akbar Riaz has said he was there to serve people and his top priority is to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, our Larkana correspondent adds.

Talking to reporters at the Larkana Press Club on Monday, he said honest and professional police officers had been posted on merit in the range and districts and they were briefed about conducting elections in line with the directions of the Election Commission of Pakistan. Soon people would feel change as reshuffle at sub-divisional level on down would be made, he said. He said non-local officers would preferably be posted.

Flanked by Larkana SSP Shabbir Sethar, he said 5,000 to 6,000 extra forces would be deployed in the division during the elections, adding that in this context the services of anti-corruption personnel, reserve force and Qaumi Razakars would be obtained. There were 60 highly sensitive and 140 sensitive polling stations in Larkana, he said.

About holding meetings with the candidates of different political parties, he said that such meetings might be held at the district returning officer’s office and commissioner’s office to discuss the arrangements. When asked if Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari or Faryal Talpur would turn up to the venue for the meeting, he said that if [any candidate did not] come to the meeting, he or she would be definitely conveyed the decisions taken at the meeting. Security of candidates was their responsibility, he said.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2018