PESHAWAR: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday asked the provincial government to ensure implementation of code of conduct for local bodies’ polls and provide strict security to women and other sensitive polling stations.

The local government elections in 17 districts of the province are scheduled for December 19.

A statement issued here said that ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan told a polls review meeting that 487 violations of election code of conduct were committed during the ongoing campaign for the upcoming polls.

Chief Secretary Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash, Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari, Inspector General of Frontier Constabulary Salahuddin Khan, Provincial Election Commissioner Sharifullah and other officials attended the meeting.

Mr Khan told the meeting that under Article 220 of the Constitution, government machinery was bound to cooperate with ECP in holding free and transport polls in a peaceful environment.

He said that voters, candidates and political parties should be provided with equal opportunities to take part in the polls.

He also asked the officials to ensure implementation of election code of conduct at all price.

He said that ECP had taken notice of 487 violations of code of conduct. However, he also asked the officials to direct district administrations to ensure implementation of ECP’s directives in that regard.

The ECP secretary also asked for proper facilities to enable women voters to cast their votes. He also ordered making proper arrangements for distribution and security of election material.

Mr Khan said that proper security should be provided to the district returning officers and returning officers during tabulation of election results.

Moazzam Jah Ansari briefed the meeting about the security arrangements being made for the polls. He said that proper security arrangements were made for polling stations.

He said that additional security personnel from those districts where polls were not being held, would be made available for deployment for polls security if need arose.

Salahuddin Khan also said that FC personnel would be deployed wherever their need arose.

The chief secretary also assured the ECP of his cooperation in holding peaceful and transparent polls.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2021