RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Home Department has directed district police officers and deputy commissioners across the province to conduct field visits for categorising polling stations according to their sensitivity in regards to security for the upcoming general elections 2018.

The polling stations categorised A are considered most sensitive, B are less sensitive and C are considered normal.

The security measures put in place by the police are as per the category of the polling stations.

The field survey is to be conducted by sub-divisional police officers, superintendent of police and assistant commissioners for the final categorisation of polling stations by the district intelligence committee.

Estimated expenses for installing CCTV cameras, replacing missing facilities, police deployments also sought

They are also to share the list of polling stations in Punjab with their addresses to police stations.

The provincial authorities have also sought details of estimated expenditure for renting or procuring CCTV cameras for surveillance in sensitive polling stations.

The cameras will only be installed at the most sensitive polling stations during the general elections.

These decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by the additional chief secretary Punjab which was attended by the inspector general of police, regional police officers, divisional commissioners, additional inspector general of police Special Branch, director and deputy director elections Punjab, special secretary School Education Department and provincial election commissioner Punjab.

The provincial election commissioner told the meeting that a tentative list of additional polling stations and polling booths will be shared with the home department while a list of returning officers and district returning officers will be finalised by the provincial election commissioner soon.

The secretary School Education Department said that some facilities are missing in schools and requested that they be provided by June 20.

All deputy commissioners have been asked to work out the requirement of funds for renting or procuring CCTV cameras.

The Punjab IGP was asked to submit details of estimated expenditures for security arrangements and deployment of police force during the general elections while the provincial election commissioner was asked to ensure the provision of funds or vehicles for returning officers and district returning officers to be used for the election process.

The general elections are scheduled to be held in July 2018.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2018