A large contingent of police force comprising 209,469 personnel, 40,400 from Janbaz and Mujahid forces, in addition to Pakistan Army and Rangers, will be deployed to ensure free, fair and impartial elections in a smooth and peaceful manner in the province on February 18.
Police Chief Punjab, Ahmad Nasim in an exclusive interview with APP here on Tuesday, unfolding the security plan for the province in the upcoming general polls, said that the police force will be deputed at 38,569 polling stations across the province.
He said 3,859 mobile teams equipped with latest weapons and wireless fitted vehicles and 7,718 motorcycles will conduct round the clock patrolling in all the sensitive areas. The police force will provide a conducive atmosphere to 44,647,914 registered voters including 20,074,688 females, to freely exercise their right of franchise for 148 national and 297 provincial assembly seats.
The IG said that contingents of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers will be requisitioned on the request of the DCO concerned to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order.
He said that Punjab Police is fully prepared to effectively protect the life and property of all citizens, and meet any eventuality. They will be equipped with tear gas shells, guns and polo sticks, he added. Ahmad Nasim said that on one will be allowed to create disturbance and any disgruntled elements will be taken to task with an iron hand.
He said police commandos and the elite force will also be deployed on duty in all sensitive areas. He said that a total of 127,284 police personnel including one sub inspector/assistant sub inspector along with six subordinates will be deputed at A category polling stations, while three each will be posted at all B and C category stations.
"All RPOs, CPOs and DPOs have already been directed to ensure strict compliance of code of conduct, and maintain close liaison with DRO, ROs and AROs, while every police commander and DPO will be responsible for law and order situation, and foolproof security in his jurisdiction," he added.
Meanwhile CCPO Muhammad Iqbal Malik has said that directives of the IGP had been conveyed to all town police officers (TPOs) for strict compliance. He said that special patrolling teams have also been constituted for the cities.