HYDERABAD: Prov­incial Election Commis­sioner Ejaz Anwar Chuhan on Saturday directed officers concerned to devise a plan till July 15 to strictly implement the of Election Commission of Pakistan’s code of conduct for free, fair and transparent local government elections in the second phase in Hyderabad division on July 24.

He was chairing a meeting to review arrangements for the LG elections here. Commissioner Nadeem-ur-Rehman Memon, deputy commissioners of Hyderabad division, SSPs, Rangers officials and others were present.

Mr Chuhan said on the occasion that the role of social media could not be overlooked and any mishap during elections could go viral. He stressed the need of ensuring effective and better arrangements to avoid any humiliation.

He directed the DCs, district returning officers and law enforcement agencies to appoint focal persons for coordination to deal with any untoward incidents at polling stations.

He asked officers to update lists of sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations in every district for deployment of Rangers and police.

He urged all the presiding officers to exercise their special powers while dealing with any miscreant.

The election commissioner said CCTV cameras would be installed in every polling station.

He also ordered the officers concerned to ensure availability of all basic facilities including water, electricity for uninterrupted and smooth polling process during the day of polling.

He said that transportation facility would be provided to the polling staff.

Mr Chuhan asked the chief executive officer of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) to ensure uninterrupted power supply at polling stations to avoid interruption in polling.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2022