ISLAMABAD: With polling for the second phase of local government elections in Punjab and Sindh just days away, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided on Saturday to postpone the election in the volatile district of Sanghar and double the security deployment for Badin – another trouble spot in Sindh.

The decision was taken on the basis of reports regarding the possibility of political clashes in Sanghar — amidst calls for revenge for the Khairpur tragedy, where eight of the 11 people killed in violence on the polling day for the first phase of LG polls, hailed from Sanghar.

Now, LG elections will be held in 14 instead of 15 districts in Sindh on Nov 19. A new polling date for Sanghar will be announced later, but sources say this is expected to be delayed until after the third and final phase of the LG polls — to be held on Dec 3 — is completed.

Two army companies to be deployed in Badin

It was also decided that the two companies of Pakistan Army, Rangers and police personnel shall be deployed in Badin to maintain law and order and create a conducive environment for fair polls.

In a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, the Sindh inspector general of police (IGP) had demanded army deployment at all 614 polling stations in Sanghar. The commission noted that this would not be possible and that a clash in Sanghar could potentially spoil the law and order situation in adjoining districts.

It was decided that Rangers would be deployed inside polling stations at all highly-sensitive polling stations, while the army’s Quick Response Force would be available close to all sensitive and highly-sensitive polling stations. As many as 51,000 police personnel will perform security duties at polling stations, it was revealed.

The meeting reviewed arrangements and security for the second phase of LG polls in Badin, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Naushehro Feroze districts. It was attended by ECP members, the Sindh chief secretary and IGP, a representative of the Sindh Home Department, as well as the returning officers concerned.

The CEC said that the commission had received complaints and wanted to address them in a manner that ensures that all political parties and candidates are provided a level playing field.

The DRO Badin was directed to replace all ROs, presiding officers and polling staff who had any relation to a political party or a candidate and was ordered to appoint impartial staff.

The DROs of Tharparkar and Mirpurkhas were asked to rationalise those polling stations which were inconsistent and incoherent with the polling stations established for the 2013 general elections.

They were told to call all complainants within two days and address their grievances in a manner acceptable to all candidates and political parties.

Sources said that out of the total 7,098 polling stations set up for the second phase of elections in Sindh, 2,571 had been identified as highly sensitive and another 2,571 as sensitive. The number of normal polling stations comes to 2,007.

In Sanghar the situation was so alarming that out of the total 614 polling stations, around 450 had been declared highly sensitive.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2015

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