KARACHI, Oct 9: Police have finalized security arrangements in the metropolis for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere during polling in the ninth general elections of the country on Oct 10.

“We are fully prepared to meet any eventuality, although we will make deployment across the city to ensure an atmosphere where people can cast their votes without any fear”, said a senior police official.

On the polling day on Oct 10, around 35,000 to 40,000 personnel of police, excise police, private security guards, Pakistan Qaumi Razakar, Sindh Reserve Force, Janbaz Force and some private personnel will be in the field under the command of the police.

Besides, 14 wings of Pakistan Rangers — 7,500 rangers as each wing comprises almost 500 personnel — will also be monitoring the law and order and help police control any untoward incident. The army would also be in the city for a backup support of the police and the rangers, he added.

The police will also use its helicopter to have an aerial view of the situation.

Police have also set up an election cell at its wireless control room at DIG Karachi (Operations) office, which would remain in touch with all towns in the city and update the information data-bank. The people can also report in case of any violence on telephone numbers 9205611 and 9205613.

The police have marked 463 spots all over the city as troubled ones and heavy deployment would be made at these points as a spark could lead to major political violence in these areas.

Police have also marked 1,054 polling stations as normal and 2,656 as sensitive out of total 3,710 polling stations, police sources said.

At normal polling stations, not more than four officials would be deployed for security purpose. Each polling station would have two policemen and two security guards, as the police have acquired services of private security agencies for the first time for the deployment at polling stations on Oct 10 general elections, they added.

“We will deploy six or eight personnel of police at each polling station on sensitive areas depending upon the situation. At some polling stations, we will depute four policemen and two security guards and at some polling stations, six policemen and three security guards. The deployment at polling stations entirely depends upon the law and order and the area’s situation”, the senior official said.

Police have prepared their town-wise contingency plan according to which there are 129 polling stations in Keamari, 127 in SITE, 165 in Baldia Town, 266 in Orangi Town, 174 in Lyari, 156 in Saddar, 185 in Jamshed Town, 229 in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, 166 in Shah Faisal Town, 209 in Landhi, 179 in Korangi, 201 in North Nazimabad, 287 in North Karachi, 179 in Gulberg, 253 in Liaquatabad, 202 in Malir, 271 in Bin Qasim, 263 in Gadap and 69 in Clifton.

They said 563 pickets would be established at various places and rooftops to keep an eye on unscrupulous elements. Besides, 641 police mobile vans would remain on patrolling duty.

Another Election Cell at Central Police Office in Karachi has also been established on the instructions of Sindh police chief Syed Kamal Shah.