The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asked all provincial and tribal administrations to provide adequate security to all candidates contesting the May 11 general elections. In a letter sent on Saturday, the ECP states.
"It is the prime legal and constitutional duty of the executive in each province of Pakistan, presently headed by Caretaker Governments to ensure complete safety to person and property of candidates and leaders of each and every political party as well as common men, women and children through the aegis of police, rangers and even military. As any act of terrorism is likely to lower the morale of the public, so that must be dealt with an Iron hand.
The commission further explained: "It is mandated under the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan to hold free, fair and transparent elections. The ECP has left no stone unturned to achieve this goal. However, the recent incidents of terrorism causing loss of human lives and destruction of property has put the political parties on guard with an undercurrent of reluctance to organise, manage and participate in public meetings, short rallies and even corner meetings, which militates the concept of free elections and is likely to have an adverse effect on the turnout of the masses to exercise their right of franchise on the polling day.
There are 11 instances in Balochistan alone where offices of the Provincial Election Commissioner were attacked. In one case, the Deputy Election Commissioner was murdered in cold blood. Similarly, a suicide attack occurred at a meeting of a political party, killing 19 persons. The candidate in NA-1 Peshawar was among several people who were injured in the attack. Similarly relatives of a candidate in Quetta was killed after a bomb exploded at the venue of the gathering.
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