LAHORE, Pakistan: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has assured that upcoming by-election in NA-122 Lahore will be conducted in free, fair and transparent way, and said that Pakistan army personnel will be deputed inside and outside of polling stations.
It was decided in a high-level meeting held in Lahore on Monday with the Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan in the chair to discuss arrangements for local bodies and by-elections in Punjab.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary Election Commission, District Returning Officers (DROs), and Punjab Home Secretary.
Later briefing the media representatives about the meeting, the ECP Secretary Babar Yaqub that the Commission will ensure holding of free, fair and transparent by-elections and local government elections in Punjab.
The ECP secretary said that the Inspector General of Punjab Police Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera has assured that the police will perform their duties neutrality during the elections.
Babar Yaqub said that during the meeting, the DROs particularly of Faisalabad, Okara and Gujrat requested for provision of Pakistan army or Punjab Rangers personnel for holding local government elections in their respective districts. He said that a decision in this regard will be taken by the ECP in its next meeting.
However, he added that Pakistan army personnel will be deputed inside and outside of polling stations in NA-122 by-election. He said that Pakistan army has asked provision of CCTV Camera for installation at the polling stations.
Moreover, he said that that the printing of ballot paper for NA-122 Lahore by-elections is in progress under the supervision of Pakistan army personnel.
The by-elections in Lahore’s NA-122 and PP-147 constituencies will take place on October 11 while the first phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh will be held on October 31.
