RAWALPINDI: Police have chalked out a security strategy to maintain peace during the by-election for the Punjab Assembly in PP-7 Kahuta-Kallar Syedan on July 17, 2022. As many as 4,500 police personnel, 100 personnel of Rangers and Elite Force commandos would be deployed, while troops will be on stand-by.

According to police, the personnel will be present on polling day at 276 polling stations. A source said that in addition to regular police, anti-riot personnel, 100 personnel of Pakistan Rangers and troops have been called to assist local police during the election.

“The police will be deployed on first tier, Rangers on the second tier while troops will be on standby position in the third tier,” the source said.

Of the 276 polling stations, 36 will be set up for male voters, 35 for female and 195 polling stations will be common (both for male and female voters). The security plan has been divided into various zones.

In this regard, Regional Police Officer Imran Ahmar held a meeting with city police officer (CPO), Senior Superintendent of Police (Operation) Wasim Riaz Khan, SP Saddar, SP Rawal, SP Security Faisal Saleem and zone in charges, sector and sub-sector in charges. All in charges have been directed to keep a close watch on suspicious activities during by polls.

“Implementation of the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will be ensured in all cases before, during and after polling hours,” RPO Ahmar told participants of the meeting.

All senior police officers will remain present in the field to monitor and brief police personnel about effective implementation of election code of conduct, rules and regulation, he added.

“There will be a complete ban on display of weapons, firing and rioting. Violators will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said. On Thursday, SSP Khan visited different areas to review arrangements made for the elections by police.

Meanwhile, the commission on Thursday asked political parties and candidates of PP-7 Kahuta-Kallar Syedan to stop the election campaign after 12am on July 15 (today) as polling will be held on July 17.

In a letter, the district monitoring officer warned that strict action will be taken against any candidate or political party found to be continuing the campaign after the specified time.

He added that no rally, public meeting and door to door campaign will be allowed after ending of the campaign period.

The ECP directed the Punjab government and law enforcement agencies to assist it in holding an “influence-free” election on 20 seats in 14 districts of the province on July 17. The commission wrote letters to the army and Rangers for deployment of personnel at sensitive polling stations identified in four constituencies of Lahore and one in Multan. Overall 3,141 polling stations have been set up for the polling process.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2022