In Karachi, it was revealed on Thursday that a total of 14,000 army personnel and 10,000 paramilitary Rangers, along with 109,000 policemen, will be assigned for election security throughout Sindh. This deployment is in response to the designation of 13,027 polling stations as either ‘highly sensitive’ or ‘sensitive.’
Conducting a hastily convened press briefing at the CM House, Caretaker Chief Minister Maqbool Baqar announced that the police had determined a requirement for 109,000 personnel, of which 105,000 were available. The shortfall of 4,000 personnel would be addressed by the auxiliary force of the provincial government, including the anti-encroachment force, excise police, anti-corruption establishment, and Civil Defence.
In addition to the police force, 10,000 Rangers and 14,000 Pak Army personnel will be deployed for election duty,” stated Justice Baqar.
He assured that the caretaker government of Sindh is making every effort to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the province, with peaceful polling for the 61 National Assembly and 130 Sindh Assembly seats. A combined security force of 133,000 personnel from the police, Rangers, and Pak Army will be deployed to maintain complete peace.
The chief minister, accompanied by Home Minister Haris Nawaz, Information Minister Ahmad Shah, and Special Assistant Advocate Moiz Baig, disclosed that there are 19,006 polling stations in the province, with 6,496 categorized as ‘highly sensitive’ and 6,531 as ‘sensitive.’
Justice Baqar mentioned a detailed meeting with the chief secretary, IGP, DG Rangers, divisional commissioners, DIGs, and the provincial election commissioner to discuss law and order, missing facilities, and security staff arrangements.
He highlighted the Election Commission of Pakistan’s training of policemen as ‘master trainers,’ responsible for further training the remaining officials and auxiliary force. An Election Cell has been established at the Central Police Office, working round-the-clock in coordination with the interior ministry’s control room.
Districts with a history of election violence have been designated ‘sensitive,’ with appropriate measures taken to maintain normalcy on polling day. The chief secretary is overseeing the repair of schools where polling stations are established, and verification certificates are being obtained.
Responding to questions, CM Baqar assured the safe and secure transportation of ballot papers, the completion of arrangements for the February 8 elections, and the provision of necessary facilities at all polling stations. He stated that the Provincial Election Commissioner is satisfied with the support extended by the Sindh government, and internal reviews will continue to ensure the soundness and safety of all arrangements.
