ISLAMABAD, April 11: The top military leadership met on Thursday to discuss and devise the security plan for the general elections to be held in the country on May 11.

The plan came up under discussion at the 70th Formation Commanders’ Conference presided over by Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the Army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, said a handout issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“The plans to provide security during May elections as asked for by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) were discussed and deliberated (upon),” said the announcement without providing details.

Those who attended the conference were also given “comprehensive briefings on external and internal security environment and professional matters.”

When contacted, an official of the ECP said the commission was still busy in finalising the security arrangements and the lists of sensitive polling stations and areas were being prepared. He said the security arrangements for the May 11 elections and the issue of seeking army’s assistance had been discussed by Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim and the army chief at a meeting last week.

In that meeting, Gen Kayani had told Justice Ebrahim that the army fully supported efforts being made by the ECP to hold free, fair and credible elections in the country. Justice Ebrahim had stated that the country was passing through a critical phase and all state organisations were expected to play their role for holding transparent and peaceful elections as enshrined in the constitution and according to the expectations of the people.