RAWALPINDI: The transportation of ballot papers and election material from Islamabad to Rawalpindi and Lower Topa Murree started on Thursday amid tight security, as a comprehensive security plan has been chalked out for the safe transportation of election material to avoid any untoward incidents.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had already issued a guideline for the transportation of polling staff and election materials from and to the returning officers (ROs) offices after the voting ends.

Following the ECP’s guidelines, the Rawalpindi district police have chalked out a security plan for the transportation of election material, including ballot papers, from Islamabad to Rawalpindi in the jurisdiction of City Police Station and Lower Topa Murree.

Faisal Saleem, Superintendent of Police Rawal Division, has been supervising the security as six police personnel armed with weapons have been assigned security duty in three shifts, while an ASI from City Police Station with a wireless set has been deployed with them at the premises where the election material is stored. Likewise, SP Saddar Division Nabeel Khokhar will supervise the security team assigned for the shifting and security of the election material transported and kept in Lower Topa Murree.

Under the direction of the relevant SDPO and SHO, Special Branch staff will use sniffer dogs to conduct sweeping, searching, scanning, and inspection of the premises in accordance with the security plan.

After searching and checking, the SDPO and SHO will get clearance certificates from the Special Branch. In view of the prevailing wave of terrorism, the police have been directed to ensure foolproof security by checking and searching.

The police have also been directed to ensure that no unauthorised or suspicious person enters the venue. The Senior Superintendent of Police Special Branch has been assigned to deploy specialised staff for gathering intelligence.Elite Force commandos should be kept on alert, and effective police patrolling should be launched around the premises where the election material is stored in Rawalpindi and Murree.

The SSP Operation will lead the overall security supervision, while City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani himself will command and control the security strategy. The ECP’s guidelines had already been sent to the district returning officers and returning officers, including Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Home Department Punjab, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Islamabad, and all provincial authorities regarding the transportation plan in which it is said that in order to conduct the general elections 2024 in a peaceful, transparent, and smooth manner, a detailed transportation and security plan must be prepared according to the guidelines given for the transportation of polling staff and election material to the polling stations and for the safe return of the material and staff after the completion of voting.

According to sources, the ECP has also issued orders to complete all transportation and communication plans and other arrangements five days prior to the polling day and to share it with Provisional Election Commissioners, who will submit it to the ECP central control room established in the Secretariat.

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024