RAWALPINDI, April 17: The government has asked the hospital administrations to make arrangements for setting up polling stations inside the hospitals’ premises for the forthcoming referendum on April 30.

The hospital sources said the administrations have been advised by the quarters concerned that it should be made mandatory for patients to vote.

According to the sources polling stations are also being set up at different public places including post offices, railway stations, airports and even market places.

This decision has been taken by the government to ensure maximum turn-out at the referendum in view of the boycott announced by some of the leading political parties of the country.

Doctors at the hospitals, criticised the government’s decision of setting up polling stations at the hospitals. They said sick people come to the hospitals for treatment and they should not be forced to take part in such activities, which may disturb or cause distress to them.

The doctors fear that the patient care would be greatly affected due to the polling stations at the hospitals. This is unheard off anywhere in the world, they said.

In all 3,760 polling stations would be set up in the district. Around 20,000 polling staff would be engaged in this exercise in Rawalpindi district.

A referendum cell has been constituted in the office of the district coordination officer. The cell is headed by District Officer (Revenue) Bashir Ahmad Farooqi.