Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has directed authorities to maintain high alertness in security measures and expedite necessary deployments to ensure foolproof security for voters, state-run Radio Pakistan reports.

The instructions come after at least 28 people were killed in back-to-back blasts in Balochistan on the eve of general elections. Separately, a grenade attack was reported in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Iqbal.

According to Radio Pakistan, CEC Raja held a phone call with all four provincial chief secretaries and police chiefs. He directed the officials to ensure the protection of the offices of district returning officers and returning officers.

Furthermore, he expressed condolences over the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan and urged officials to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents. Raja also assured them of the ECP’s full support and assistance in this regard.