MARDAN: Commissioner of Mardan Division Shaukat Ali Yousafzai on Wednesday said it was the top priority of the government to hold the Feb 8 elections peacefully.

During a meeting of the Divisional Intelligence Coordination Committee in his office, Mr Yousafzai directed all relevant departments to make necessary arrangements to ensure peaceful polls in the region.

“The peaceful holding of elections is a national responsibility, so everyone will work together for it,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Commandant of 6th Brigade Brigadier Sajid, additional commissioner Naeem Akhtar, Mardan deputy commissioner Mohammad Fayaz Khan Sherpao, Swabi DC Dr Tariqullah, Mardan DPO Najibur Rehman, district election officer Ziaur Rahim, Swabi DSP Iqbal Khan and officers of security forces.

The deputy commissioners of Mardan and Swabi, who are also the district returning officers for elections, said polling stations in both districts had been identified as normal, sensitive and most sensitive in consultation with the relevant institutions.

They said 389 polling stations in Mardan and 80 in Swabi were most sensitive.

Elections will be held for five National Assembly and 13 provincial assembly seats in Mardan Division.

The officials said as there was a staff shortage, election duties had been assigned to officials of the forestry, excise, education and health departments.

They said the process of installing security cameras at polling stations would be completed in a week.

Officers of sensitive institutions also briefed the meeting regarding the security situation.

The Mardan DPO and Swabi DSP told the meeting that “foolproof” arrangements had been made for the protection of voters and election staff at polling stations in both districts.

They also said police had contacted authorities to provide more personnel for security duty on the election day.

The officials said the final security plan would be issued after its formal approval.

The participants expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements for elections.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024