Election 2024: More than half of the polling stations in Rawalpindi were deemed “sensitive”

RAWALPINDI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has revealed that 1,558 of the 2,777 designated polling places in the Rawalpindi district have been classified as sensitive in advance of the next general elections on February 8.

Of the polling places that have been identified, 580 are classified as “very sensitive” in Category A, and 978 as “sensitive” in Category B. According to sources, on election day, troops are probably going to be stationed at the extremely critical polling places. It has been instructed for all Station House Officers (SHOs) in the corresponding locations to evaluate the security environment.

In order to guarantee that every precaution would be taken on election day, a high-level meeting was held to make decisions about security arrangements. Senior law enforcement officials are to meet with Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) and keep in regular contact with them about security plans.

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Police have also been entrusted with determining the approximate quantity of CCTV cameras needed at crucial polling places. They should also be able to locate extremely sensitive locations where Quick Response Force (QRF) members, Rangers, and soldiers will be stationed. It has also been mandated that check post locations and reserve force standby stations be identified.

It is required of every SHO to obtain surety bonds for those planning public gatherings and processions. The security of the event sites must be the top priority, and every detail should be documented in the daily report (Roznamcha) of the relevant police stations. Anyone caught missing from duty as a police officer faces strict administrative discipline.

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Control rooms are planned to be set up in order to keep an eye on the security situation when voting materials are being transported to the assigned polling places.

Rawalpindi district has seven National Assembly and 14 Provincial Assembly seats, catering to 3,307,083 registered voters. Guidelines for the smooth running of the polls have been released by the ECP, with an emphasis on secure transit of materials and poll workers as well as transparent procedures.

Completing all travel and communication schedules, in addition to other preparations, five days prior to election day is another important recommendation of the ECP instruction. Provisional election commissioners are to receive this information and forward it to the ECP central control center situated within the Secretariat.

The police and the Regional Transport Authority assert that they have completed ninety percent of the work involved in providing transportation for election duty, in accordance with the ECP’s rules.