KARACHI, Aug 9: Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has ordered immediate removal of party flags on government buildings and officials vehicles. He asked the chief secretary to direct the DCOs of all the districts to ensure compliance of the order, as no one would be allowed to use party flags during the election campaign.

The governor issued these directives at a meeting held at the Governor’s House on Tuesday.

The meeting decided that the candidates and their supporters would be made to follow the code of ethics issued by the Election Commission.

The participants of the meeting were informed that the polls would be held under the supervision of Rangers and the police and the home department would oversee this.

The chain of command would be with the rangers and the army would be in a standby position.

At each of the 18 towns in Karachi, a complaint centre would be set up where press briefing would also be arranged. In addition to this, four control rooms would be established at rangers headquarters, local government, information and home departments where the situation would be monitored in order to discourage rumours.

The meeting was also informed that there will be a full dress rehearsal on Aug 16 in which the candidates, polling staff and officers of the administration from all over the province would participate.

At the meeting, satisfaction was expressed at the situation pertaining to the election process and arrangements.

It was informed that in accordance with the directives of the Election Commission, only voters would be allowed within the 200 yards of the polling station. The camps of the candidates would be kept outside this very limit.

Monitoring would also be made through video cameras.

The full dress rehearsal of the rangers and the police would be held on Aug 11.

The DCOs have been directed to secure the voters lists two days before the polls and publicize these at prominent places so that there could be no complaints.—APP