Preparations complete for Punjab, Sindh local govt elections
Rangers have been deployed at sensitive polling stations while army remains on standby.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Preparation for the first phase of Saturday s local government elections in Punjab and Sindh provinces has entered final stage.
Required election material including ballot boxes and ballot papers has been transported to the officials concerned while Army troops have been called in by the civil administration to maintain law and order in sensitive districts.
"Army troops have been deployed in by Civil Administration for maintenance of law and order ONLY during upcoming LG elections in sensitive districts," the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed in a press release on Thursday.
The ISPR further stated: "troops will assist law enforcement agencies when and where required. However conduct of elections will remain the responsibility of ECP."
Opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamat-e-Islami (JI) had demanded deployment of Army personnel during local body elections.
In the first phase, polling will be held tomorrow in Punjab s Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Pakpattan, Okara, Lodhran, Vehari and Bahawalnagar districts.
In Sindh, polling will be held in Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Larkana, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Qamber districts.
The Election Commission has increased the polling time by one hour. It has been made mandatory for the voters to bring original identity cards, howeover, expiry of CNIC does not invalidate the voters from casting votes.
Earlier on Thursday, the ECP released a statement showing the number of high sensitive, sensitive and normal polling stations for first phase of the local government elections in both provinces.
The statement shows there are 16,266 polling stations in twelve districts including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Pakpattan, Okara, Lodhran, Vehari and Bahawalnagar, out of which, 3,551 polling stations have been declared high sensitive.
A total of 8,300 have been declared sensitive and 4,441 polling stations are normal.
Separately, the ECP issued Code of Conduct for Media.
The statement says that neither any radio of television channel shall broadcast or telecast nor any print media shall publish anything that adversely affects the public opinion against a particular party or candidate.
The print and electronic media have been asked to refrain from disseminating information about any political party or candidate which is not supported by cogent evidence.
“Due care shall also be exercised by them (print/electronic media) to ascertain veracity of any information or news relating to a candidate before its telecasting, broadcasting or publish,” the commission said.
The print and electronic media have been directed to show authentic election results officially issued by the presiding officer, returning officer of the election commission.
The directives were issued by the ECP in exercise of its powers under Article 218 (3) and Punjab Local Governments (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 2013 and other power enabling it in that behalf.
The polling will begin at 7:30 AM and continue till 5:30 PM without any interruption.
