RAWALPINDI: The longest ever election campaigns in Rawalpindi ended at midnight on Monday.

The parties contesting for the seven National Assembly seats and 15 provincial assembly seats, including PML-N, PPP, PTI, Awami Muslim League (AML), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and independent candidates, made last minute efforts to attract voters with pledges to change the condition of their constituencies and improve the standard of living.

The candidates tried to cover as many areas as possible. PML-N arranged a public meeting in the historic Liaquat Bagh, PPP held a meeting at Dhoke Hassu, AML President Sheikh Rashid arranged a public meeting at Commercial Market in Satellite Town, JI brought out a rally as did PTI on Murree Road which was led by its City President Ijaz Khan Jazi.

PML-N had arranged a big event at which Shahbaz Sharif was expected but the programme was later changed due to the rain but they did hold a public meeting. Sheikh Rashid had announced that Imran Khan will come to the gathering at Commercial Market.

The city remained busy due to the rallies and public meetings on Monday and was awash with colourful flags, banners, hoardings and posters of candidates, who had also hired cabs and rickshaws to display their paraphernalia.

Youngsters did stunts on motorcycles and some drove around the city in their cars, displaying various election symbols. Shopkeepers in Saddar played party songs, particularly of the PML-N.

The traffic congestion inconvenienced commuters especially on The Mall, Liaquat Road, Iqbal Road, College Road, Kashmir Bazaar, Asghar Mall Road, Saidpur Road, Raja Bazaar, Sadiqabad, Rawal Road, Commercial Market and Sixth Road.

Mohammad Wasif, a motorist, said he had been stuck in traffic on Murree Road for several hours and that traffic wardens could not control traffic flow.

Another motorist, Israr Ahmed said the government should impose a ban on rallies and public meetings on Murree Road as it disrupts traffic flow.

Police deployments

The deployment of police and law enforcement agencies at polling stations started on Monday so they can secure the area before the arrival of polling staff on Tuesday.

The police have devised a comprehensive plan for July 25 and divided polling stations in three categories- A, B and C- according to sensitivity.

A total of 8,388 police officials will be deployed at 2,576 polling stations.

City Police Officer (CPO) Abbas Ahsan gave all police stations the status of a sector to control the law and order situation in a better way.

The Rawalpindi police will be assisted by Elite Force commandoes, Quick Response Force and Punjab Special Branch personnel, according to a police spokesperson.

The district administration and the police are also going to be in touch with the army and Rangers. All divisional SPs will supervise the duties of their subordinates.

Police teams will patrol the area around polling stations and a control room has been established at the Police Line Headquarters.

Chief Traffic Officer Mohammad Bin Ashraf will supervise and ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the district on July 25.

Talking to media persons, CPO Ahsan said the Rawalpindi police are committed to holding a peaceful election.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2018