PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed that necessary arrangements and preparations should be started for holding the second phase local government elections peacefully in the remaining 18 districts of the province.

He said that arrangements should be finalised in all respects well before the polling day, according to a statement issued here on Saturday.

He further directed to put in place an effective mechanism of coordination among the concerned district administrations, police, election commission and other relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth, transparent and peaceful holding of the elections.

The chief minister issued these directives in a meeting with Chief Secretary Shahzad Bangash and Inspector General of Police Muazzam Jah Ansari.

Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah was also present in the meeting that discussed matters related to peaceful holding of the upcoming LG polls in the remaining districts of the province.

Some untoward incidents that took place in certain places during the first phase of the elections and a broader strategy to avoid such incidents in the second phase also came under discussion.

On this occasion, the chief minister said that overall the first phase of the local government elections was held smoothly in a peaceful environment.

He, however, noted that a few untoward incidents took place in certain places, adding that such incidents should not take place anywhere during the second phase.

Mahmood Khan said that the provincial government was committed to holding the elections in a peaceful environment and it would provide all the required resources and support in this regard.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2021