As many as 47,473 polling stations will be set up for 141 seats of National Assembly and 297 seats of provincial assembly of Punjab while 259,000 police personnel will be deployed for smooth conduct of the elections on July 25.
This was revealed in a meeting chaired by the Punjab interim Chief Minister Dr Hasan Askari, here Saturday. The meeting was informed that there are 6,335 A category polling stations, 16,944 B category polling stations and 24,201 C-category polling stations. As many as 2,832 violations of ECP Code of Conduct have been reported across the province so far and action has been taken as per law.
The preparations for the general elections and arrangements for floods, dengue and polio were also discussed in the meeting. The meeting was informed that mechanism with Pakistan Army, Rangers and other security agencies was given final shape for maintaining law and order situation. Section 144 has been imposed across Punjab for the implementation of Election Code of Conduct.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Askari directed indiscriminate action against violators of the Election Code of Conduct and said divisional and district administrations and police should take immediate action upon the violation of the Code. "Transparent and peaceful holding of the general elections is our joint responsibility. Everybody should discharge their duties with honesty and dedication. We will be able to discharge our national duty in an effective manner if we work with honesty and dedication," he said, adding: "The administration and police should maintain close contact with contesting candidates."
The meeting also decided to keep constant monitoring of protective embankments in view of flooding. Dr Askari said no stone should be left unturned in the arrangements to manage flooding and monsoon rains. He said flood monitoring room is working 24/7 while embankments of rivers should be checked regularly.
While reviewing arrangements for dengue, the interim CM said the already approved plan for dengue control should be implemented strictly to avert dengue outbreak. The implementation of the dengue control plan is a big challenge. The meeting was informed those surveillance teams are working for dengue control. No death has been reported due to dengue this year so far. The suspected cases of dengue are less as compare to the last year.
He said polio control is our national duty and joint efforts in this regard should keep continue while no case of polio has been reported this year so far.
The meeting was told that 854 boats, 17,968 life jackets, 4,050 life rings, 1,437 de-watering sets, 48,799 tents, 21,620 blankets, 52 boat trolleys, 30 generators, 49,939 plastic mats and 43,226 mosquito nets have been stocked.
Interim provincial ministers Zafar Mehmood, Shaukat Javed, Jawwad Sajid and Saeedullah Babar, chief secretary, additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary home and RPOs attended meeting via video link.