Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister former justice Abdul Qadir Halepota has asked all the political activists to refrain from displaying arms at public places and abide by the requirement of the law, otherwise action would be taken against them irrespective of their political stature.
He was addressing a press conference after holding a law and order review meeting, held at the Chief Minister House on Tuesday. Halepota said that the government would maintain complete peace and facilitate people to cast their votes in a fearless manner.
"No one would be permitted to stop voters from exercising their right to choosing their representatives," he added. He said that police had been made responsible for maintaining law and order. Rangers would supplement their efforts and the army would be on standby to be called in whenever there was any emergency situation.
He said that the practice of refusing to accept the process of polling or counting or announcing the result could be exercised away from the polling stations.
Often these situations were followed by sit in by the aggrieved party, he said, adding: "We would not permit this situation. "NO sit-in, and no protest" at or around the polling station is tolerable.
Those who indulged in such practices would be dealt with strictly and punished. "It should be clear that peace is to be maintained and elections are to be held in fair, free, transparent and peaceful manner," he said.
Home Minister Brigadier Akhtar Zamin (retd) said the law-enforcement personnel had begun reconnaissance drive in their assigned areas. This exercise would complete in a day or two and they would be in a position from February 14 onward. He said that there would be complete freedom to participate in elections and work for candidates, but only after strictly following rules of the game.
He said that voters would be protected in the discharge of their civic obligations and those, who would obstruct their way to a polling station, would be taken to task. "We will not tolerate disturbances, acts of terrorism and illegal activities that in any way obstruct the process of electioneering," he added.
He said that out of more than 9,000 polling station, only about 400 polling stations were in the Kutcha areas. "In other words, only about four to five percent polling stations are in Kutcha areas. "Law-enforcement personnel will ensure that no bogus polling takes place there," he said.
He said that political parties should come forward and assist the government in maintaining law and order, and holding fair elections. He said that it was repeatedly being asked about the foreign observers whether they would be permitted to visit Kutcha areas.
"Because of the security reasons, it would be difficult to take them there. The entire government machinery would be busy in elections and there would not be many people to look after them. It is better to protect them rather than exposing them to threats of terrorism," said the minister.
He said that the Sindh government had requested for four to five helicopters with 25/30 people seating capacity to carry army personnel. "In case of need, this means of transport will be utilised to support the police and the Rangers in the discharge of their duties.
"Though these helicopters have not reached us so far, we hope to get them," he added. To a question about 15,000 Razakars, he said that these would be selected, preferably, from among those people, who had applied for recruitment in Sindh police and could not be given appointment for being unable to meet minor requirements.
These candidates were screened and were cleared by the security agencies as well, he said, and added: "However, we are prepared to present the list of these Razakars to political parties and if they object to any of the selected Razakar, we would remove him." He said that recruitment of Razakars was strictly covered by the Police Act and its provision had been used previously at different times.