ISLAMABAD: The personnel of armed forces and civil armed forces will not independently address apparent irregularities outside polling stations and should instead report the matter to the presiding officers concerned for necessary guidance during general elections, as specified by the electoral entity.
“In case irregularity or malpractice persists, they should promptly inform their officer in-charge so that necessary legal action can be taken,” states the set of guidelines for armed forces/civil armed forces released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday.
The guidelines stipulate that the police will serve as the primary responders, while civil armed forces and armed forces will function as the second and third tier responders, respectively, to be stationed outside selected highly sensitive polling stations.
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The officials of armed/civil armed forces, according to the guidelines, are required to first report to the presiding officer and inform their own chain of command about any irregularity/issue/malpractice with the potential to create a law and order/security situation observed outside the selected highly sensitive polling station (where they are deputed) and act in accordance with the issued instructions.
If the presiding officer fails to prevent the commission of any reported irregularity/issue/malpractice, the security staff will immediately inform the concerned returning officer.
The guidelines prohibit the forces personnel from intervening in the vote-counting process “in any manner.”
The guidelines further state that the forces personnel shall:
- Not interfere in any manner whatsoever in the functions of the presiding officer, assistant presiding officer, or polling officer.
- Not engage in arguments/altercations with any candidate, election agent, polling agent, observer, or media person in any manner.
- Not take into custody any election material.
- Identify suspicious voters for frisking/checking by police personnel before entering the premises of the polling station to ensure that no person can bring any weapon/explosive with them.
- Remain impartial and neutral throughout the election process in general and during the voting process in particular and shall not act in favor of or against any political party or candidate.
- Not disallow any eligible voter to enter the polling station, except those found in possession of a weapon/explosive or carrying “undesirable items or those who create disturbance and incitement to act of violence or an action that is prejudiced to national safety/interests of Pakistan.”
