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KARACHI, Feb 02 (APP):Sindh Caretaker Minister of Information, Minority Affairs and Social Security, Muhammad Ahmad Shah, Friday, said that general elections were going to be held on February 8 and all the provincial governments were fully prepared for the polls.
He addressing a press conference at Sindh Assembly building regarding the election arrangements and law and order situation, said that all the necessary arrangements were being made according to the instructions of the Election Commission of Pakistan and Sindh government had released funds for all requirements of the elections.
The entire government and all the institutions were extending the fullest cooperation to the Election Commission of Pakistan for conducting general elections 2024 in a free, fair and transparent manner, he added.
Ahmad Shah stated that preparations for the polls had been going on for many months including the measures to improve law and order and a security plan was in place and a backup plan was also envisaged.
He informed that the total number of polling stations in the province is 19006, among them 5989 are declared normal, 6531 as sensitive and 6496 as highly sensitive polling stations.
As many as 1,22,030 police personnel will be deployed for ensuring security and maintaining law and order during the elections while 7000 personnel of Police Quick Response Force along with 550 of Sindh Excise Police would also be deputed on election security duties.
Besides provincial law enforcement agencies, Rangers and Pakistan Army would also be available for the security, he said and added that Pakistan Army would be deployed at sensitive polling stations from February 5 to February 10.
More than 6000 CCTV cameras will be installed on polling stations and in case of any untoward situation, the data will be preserved and available, he informed adding that computers and wireless systems had been installed as well.
The minister said that 22870 Lady Health Workers were also deputed on election duties while a fund of Rs 1.5 billion had been released for necessary works at 368 schools those were affected by the recent floods.
He informed that presiding officers would not be allowed to go home from the polling stations till completion of the entire polling process while leaves of the staff posted at the polling stations had been canceled.
Previously, no action was taken against the absent employees but now action would be taken against those who would abstain from performing national duty in the election, he added.
The minister said that he was in touch with all major political parties and he had requested them to extend their cooperation during the election process.
Responding to a query, he said that section 144 Cr.P.C had been enforced across the province but mobile Phone services should not be shut down on the polling day.
If any untoward situation arises in any area we will consider the option according to the situation, he added.
The minister said that Pakistan’s enemies were trying in every possible way to make the situation worse, both internally and externally but our security forces were committed to thwart such nefarious designs.