KOHAT/SWABI: Of the total 444 polling stations to be set up in Kohat, the district administration has declared 166 polling stations most sensitive and 204 sensitive, while in Swabi, 288 stations have been declared most sensitive and 378 sensitive of the total 762 polling stations that will be set up in the district for the July 25 elections.

A statement issued by the public relations officer of DPO Kohat Sohail Khalid on Monday said the most sensitive polling stations would be jointly manned by army and police personnel in the district, where 4,000 police personnel would be deployed for elections.

A quick response force had been formed which would act swiftly in case of any untoward incident, DPO Khalid said, while briefing journalists about the preparations for elections at the Kohat police club, said the statement.

The DPO said section 144 had already been enforced banning display of weapons and strict legal action would be taken against the miscreants.

The presence of security forces would also be assured at all the polling stations along with police from transportation of election material a day ahead of July 25 till delivery of votes at the returning offices.

The DPO said CCTV cameras were being installed at the most sensitive police stations, adding nobody would be allowed to create disturbance at any polling station or booth.

He warned that if any candidate tried to disrupt polling he could be disqualified by the election commission.

In Swabi, sources in the police and election commission office told Dawn that the upcoming elections were quite dangerous from the security point of view as one person had already been killed in the election campaign in Razaar and another injured when ANP and PTI workers clashed.

The sources said the most sensitive polling stations were in Razaar tehsil, where political temperature had already reached its peak and allegations and counter allegations hurled by the candidates at each other continued unabated.

Talking to Dawn, DPO Syed Khalid Hamdani said they had determined the most sensitive and sensitive polling stations on the basis of the previous record.

“Swabi is more sensitive district and we have discussed it with all concerned officials and leaders of the political parties. We strive to ensure peace during the polls,” Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, DIG Mardan, who visited the district a few days ago, had said.

The sources said of the 288 most sensitive polling stations majority were situated in Razaar, especially in the constituencies from where three candidates of Tarakai family and other influential contestants were fighting.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2018