4500 personnel to perform duties during NA-33 Hangu by-election
KOHAT
The people will exercise their franchise in the bye-elections today on Sunday in NA-33, the only constituency of the National Assembly to select their representative for the remaining term against a vacant seat.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) foolproof security arrangements have been made for conducting a transparent voting process in the constituency.
“For this purpose, some 210 polling stations have been set up across the district, including 64 male, 55 female and 91 combined polling stations for the by-elections. Out of total 210 polling stations, 77 have been declared most sensitive, 110 sensitives and only 23 polling station normal where 318,919 registered voters, including 138,375 female voters, will cast their votes”, the ECP stated, adding that polling will be started from 8.00 am and continued till 5.00 pm without any interval”.
“To keep peace and maintain law & order and prevent any disturbance during the polling day, some 4,500 police and Frontier Constabulary personnel have been deployed at all the polling stations” told District Police Officer (DPO) Hangu Ikram Ullah Khan, adding that the Pakistan Army has been requested to remain alert to deal with in any emergency situation.
According to available information, presiding officers with polling staff and electoral materials have been dispatched to concerned polling stations yesterday under tight security.
The Chief Election Commoner has directed District Returning Officer (DRO) Hangu for holding transparent and peaceful polling and advised the people as well as registered voters to cast their votes considering it national duty without any fear. He strictly ordered that action will be taken against those who interfere in the process and disturb the peaceful atmosphere on the polling day.
Control rooms have been established in Election Commission of Pakistan offices at Islamabad, Peshawar and District level for NA-33 Hangu bye elections. The Chief Election Commissioner and the Secretary Election Commission will monitor and oversee the entire polling process.
Interestingly, a very strange atmosphere has been created for PTI candidate Nadeem Khan, the son of late Member National Assembly Khyala Zaman on the occasion of by-election as one side. more than 100 MNAs belonging to PTI have resigned from their seats in National Assembly a few days ago and on the other hand, a PTI candidate is contesting bye election of the National Assembly, and resultantly the PTI-backed voters and supporters are also suffering from severe anxiety.
Although the major contest is expected between Mufti Obaidullah of JUI, Nadeem Khan of PTI, and Syed Umar of ANP in the by-elections, but reportedly ANP has divided into two parts as one of its party official at local level along with his companions decided to support PTI candidature and thus the ANP Candidate Syed Umar face difficulties.
Meanwhile, at least 4500 personnel will perform their duties to meet any untoward incident during NA-33 Hangu by-election to be held on April 17, said DPO Ikramullah Khan on Saturday. District Police Officer and Election Commission Officers finalized security arrangements for peaceful and transparent conduct of elections.
He said the deployment of police personnel, the squads of Quick Response Force and Rapid Response Force would conduct patrolling on polling day while the Reserve Police personnel would remain on standby at Police Line Headquarter to meet with any emergency situation.
