The caretaker government has said that it expects turnout of over 50 percent in today's general elections despite fear of terrorism. It assured the voters that around 600,000 law enforcement agencies' personnel would be deployed at the polling stations for security.
Addressing a new conference on Friday after inaugurating media cell for election coverage, Information Minister Arif Nizami said measures have been taken to ensure protection to candidates, voters at polling stations so that the people could exercise their right to vote freely.
He said that stage is set for the elections of national and provincial assemblies after conclusion of election campaign peacefully despite challenges and problems. He said that even critics acknowledge that the caretaker government unlike previous governments has no agenda for itself except to conduct free and fair elections. The minister said the anti-election forces are issuing terror threats so that the turnout should remain low. He appealed to the media to motivate the voters to exercise their right to vote. Nizami said the government and Army are on the same page to maintain security and deal with the forces which wanted to sabotage the elections.
Replying to a question about the sit-in by Tahirul Qadri on election day, he said Qadri is not from among the stakeholders and should not be taken seriously. In reply to a question about kidnapping of Ali Haider son of former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, he said that efforts are being made to recover him. The minister said the government has taken all possible measures including deployment of Army in Karachi to ensure peace during elections. He said the election are few hours away and 86 million registered voters would exercise their right to vote. The minister reiterated that caretaker government tenure would not be extended.