LAHORE: The Punjab government has released a budget of some Rs4.1 billion to all 40 districts’ deputy commissioners to ensure final arrangements for the holding of general elections on Feb 8.

Arrangements have also been completed for installing CCTV cameras at the highly sensitive polling stations across the province.

The government is also imposing a ban on the display of arms and aerial firing from Feb 1 to 12 to ensure maintenance of law and order.

The imposition of section 144 in this regard will be notified on Tuesday (today). The government also instructed that the violators of the election code of conduct should be punished.

Govt to ban arms display from Feb 1 to 12

The army, Rangers and police personnel would carry out a flag march on Feb 5 and 7.

The arrangements for the Feb 8 general elections were reviewed at a meeting at the civil secretariat led by Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman.

Provincial Election Commissioner Aijaz Anwer Chohan, IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar, the administrative secretaries of the home and local government departments, officers of the provincial election commission and officials concerned attended the meeting. All the divisional commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners and DPOs participated through video link.

Speaking at the meeting, the election commissioner said all district returning officers should supervise the process of preparation of polling bags and ensure the provision of all basic facilities at the polling stations. He said the control rooms should be made more functional for addressing the complaints.

He stressed that equal opportunities must be provided to all stakeholders in the election process without discrimination. The chief secretary instructed all the deputy commissioners to take action against the polling staff, who were absent during training.

As the deputy commissioners have been provided with requisite funds, he asserted that

no shortcomings in the election arrangements would be acceptable.

He also highlighted that transport and security plans were a very important part of arrangements, adding that these two components should be given special attention. He stressed that the deputy commissioners should review the preparations for the elections daily.

Earlier, local government department secretary Ahmed Javed Qazi, who is the Punjab government’s focal person

for elections, briefed the meeting about the measures being taken to ensure the holding of free and fair elections in a peaceful environment across the province.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2024