News
Friday, May 10, 2013
GHQ orders army deployment at sensitive polling stations
RAWALPINDI: In deference to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Thursday ordered army troops to modify and further strengthen their plans and affect deployment at the most sensitive polling stations to the extent possible.According to a spokesman of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), priority for deployment on the most sensitive polling stations would be based on assessment by local civil administration in coordination with the intelligence, law enforcing agencies (LEAs) and local army commanders. “These deployments will be solely for the purpose of providing assistance in security duties for elections as envisaged under Article 245 of the Constitution,” he added.
He said the ECP request has been accepted despite little time for a change in the finalised security plan for which deployment of all LEAs has already been completed and coordinated. Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim had on Wednesday requested Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to ensure suitable presence of army personnel at the most sensitive polling stations throughout the country. In a letter written to the COAS, the CEC said, despite limitations in terms of resources the presence of army personnel at highly sensitive polling stations was mandatory on Saturday, he added. He said the total number of highly sensitive polling stations was about 14,000.
The CEC further said it was our collective duty to conduct elections peacefully. He said that the ECP and security forces had agreed to work together to ensure that the elections are held in free, fair and timely manner. He said Pakistan Army has finalised its plans to assist other law enforcement agencies on the polling day and the plan was focused on Quick Rapid Development Force which will respond to any untoward incident within a short span of time. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk