ISLAMABAD: (HRNW) The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that the IG and Chief Secretary Punjab refused to provide foolproof security for the election on April 30.
The announcement of the meetings held in the Election Commission was released. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over the meetings in which the Chief Secretary and IG Punjab gave a briefing on the security arrangements in the province.
In a statement issued by the Election Commission, it was stated that the IG and the Chief Secretary of Punjab excused themselves to provide foolproof security for the election on April 30.
The Chief Secretary while giving a briefing to the Election Commission of Punjab said that it is not possible to conduct transparent elections in the current situation as currently, 40,000 teachers are already on census duty.
Defence Secretary also refused to provide Pakistan Army personnel for election security and said that Pakistan Army can only be provided as a quick response force for polls.
While briefing the Election Commission on the security situation across the country, Defence Secretary said that the security of the borders and the country is the top priority for Pakistan Army.
While briefing the Election Commission, the Interior Secretary said that Pakistan Army personnel cannot be provided for the static duty of the election.
The IG Punjab said that the police are currently doing duty with the census teams and there will be additional duty of the police personnel during Ramadan too. He said during the 2018 election, 3,330 election campaign programs were held. He further said Police action against criminals in the Kacha area will also take four to five months.
IG Punjab further said that the deployment of police, as well as Pakistan Army personnel, is very important for the election.