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Updated 14 Mar, 2023 09:02pm

Fool-proof security for elections not possible, ECP told

Punjab’s inspector general and chief secretary told the Election Commission of Pakistan that they cannot ensure fool-proof security for elections on Tuesday.

The revelation came in a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner in which the federal interior secretary also participated.

The IG told the meeting that police is currently providing security to team contesting the digital census and additional duties would have to be performed in Ramzan.

He also said that 3,330 events had been organised in the 2018 elections and providing security to these events is impossible at this time. He also said that four to five months will have to be spent in dealing with dacoits in the Kaccha area of South Punjab.

The chief secretary also told the meeting that 40,000 teachers who would serve as polling staff were currently busy conducting the census.

At the IG’s explanation that posting army along with police was ‘extremely important’ for the elections, the interior secretary told the meeting that it would be ‘impossible’. He added that, at best, the Quick Response Force could be provided by the army.

The interior secretary briefed the meeting’s participants on the security situation across the country. He said that the army was busy safeguarding the country and its borders and could not be appointed for static duties in the elections.

Elections to the Punjab Assembly have been set at April 30 by President Arif Alvi. The ECP has already issued a schedule for the government.

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