The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday said that army will be responsible for security arrangements only during election as it is the sole responsibility of the Commission to conduct free, fair and transparent election. Addressing a news conference here, Secretary ECP Babar Yaqoob said that a code of conduct has also been developed for the security personnel who would be deployed for the election duty.
He said the Election Commission has a full control over all election matters including posting of election staff, scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates, printing and transportation of ballot papers and polling scheme, etc.
Yaqoob said that army personnel will be deployed inside as well as the outside the polling stations to ensure transparency of election. He also clarified that the army is being called in for election duty on request of the political parties, adding that the security personnel deployed on election duty would have the same powers as given in every other election in the past.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a recent press briefing that the army would deploy 371,388 troops three days before the polling day to ensure free, fair and transparent election.
The secretary ECP said that they have identified around 18,000 polling stations across the country as sensitive and CCTV cameras will be installed to monitor them and deal with any untoward incident.
He, however, said the CCTV cameras will be installed at such spots on the polling stations where secrecy of voters will not be compromised.
Mobile phones will not be allowed within the premises of the polling stations, he said, adding the media persons will be allowed access inside the polling stations with their professional cameras. Yaqoob said, "All those candidates who are receiving threats or being pressured not to contest the election should bring the matter into notice of the Commission". He promised action against those involved in pressuring or threatening the candidates.
About security arrangements for candidates, he said the Election Commission has informed the caretaker prime minister and relevant agencies about possible threats to lives of different election candidates. The secretary said that the ECP has already conveyed to all provincial governments for providing foolproof security to all election candidates, adding the Election Commission is also keeping an eye on the security arrangements for the candidates. The ECP secretary also confirmed that the chief election commissioner has received a letter from the Facebook management.
He said the Facebook management has warned the ECP about fake accounts posting bogus news on the website, but the social networking website has created a special team to tackle the situation. About turnout on the polling day, he expected more people will vote on July 25 due to increasing awareness among the public about significance of their vote through social and electronic media.
The secretary also said that confidence of people over the democracy is increasing. About female voters, he said the laws in recent years have introduced some positive changes regarding women's participation in the electoral process. He said the gap between male and female registered voters would be filled in next two to three years.