The Election Commission of Pakistan has finalised all arrangements for holding free, fair and transparent bye-elections for national and provincial assemblies seats on December 17 in five districts of the Punjab.
Election Commissioner Punjab, Rahim Nawaz Khan Durrani told APP here on Thursday that Acting Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar had directed the Punjab Government to make foolproof security arrangements on the day of polling.
He said that the bye-elections for vacant seats of National Assembly were being held in Sargodha, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnager and Sheikhupura districts and polling for provincial assembly seats would be held in Sargodha and Mandi Bahauddin districts on December 17, simultaneously.
Durrani said that Chief Election Commissioner would visit some of the polling stations in different districts to review the elections and security arrangements.
A total of 1,252 polling stations have been set up for bye-elections of which 256 have been declared sensitive while 351 are declared as category "B" where extra police force will be deployed.
Inspector General of Police Punjab, Zia Ul Hassan told APP that all possible security measures had been taken in these districts for the smooth and peaceful polling.
DIGs and DPOs concerned had been directed to follow the directives of the Chief Election Commissioner for holding free, fair and impartial bye-elections of national and provincial assemblies.
A strong contingent of 10,842 armed police along with elite force commandos would be on guard during the national and provincial assemblies' bye-elections.