RAWALPINDI: A control room has been established at the district level to monitor the by-elections for the Punjab Assembly seat (PP-7) of Kahuta-Kallar Syedan on July 17.

Moreover, special security personnel have been deployed in 76 polling stations that have been categorised as ‘sensitive’.

As many as 133 motorcycles and eight vehicles have also been provided at the polling stations while 53 police mobiles will be on patrol duty in the area. Special pickets have also been set up at 28 places to ensure foolproof security and strict implementation of the code of conduct of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Divided into zones, five sectors and 15 sub-sectors, display of weapons, aerial firing and loudspeakers are prohibited in the constituency. Strict legal action will be taken against any violation, said the police.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Imran Ahmar on Friday visited the polling stations and was briefed about the security arrangements.

He said security arrangements should be made more foolproof before and till the conclusion of the polling.

The by-elections will also be monitored from the control room set up at the district level, and whoever found involved in aerial firing, violence and trying to create law and order situation would be dealt with according to the law, said the RPO.

The Anti-Rights Reserve Force will remain vigilant to deal with any emergency situation. The protection of life and property of the people, including the peaceful conduct of the polls, will be ensured, he said.

As part of the security and traffic arrangements, more than 4,000 officers and personnel would be deployed in the 266 polling stations. Moreover, 600 policewomen will also be on duty at the joint polling stations.

In addition, 102 personnel of traffic police will be on duty at the joint polling stations.

Besides the police, 37 Quick Response Teams (QRF) of elite commandos will be on duty to ensure and deal with any emergency situation.

Special personnel have been deployed at 76 sensitive polling stations to ensure peaceful conduct of polling.

In any case, implementation of the code of conduct issued by the ECP will be ensured, said the police.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2022