RAWALPINDI: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Dr Hassan Askari on Friday directed concerned agencies to initiate immediate action to redress the genuine complaints of political parties and candidates.

“Every possible step should be taken to further improve the law and order situation and candidates should be taken into confidence for the implementation of the code of conduct,” he said while reviewing arrangements for the polls at the Commissioner’s Office.

The chief minister was accompanied by provincial ministers on his visit to Rawalpindi and held a meeting at the Commissioner’s Office where the division commissioner and regional police officer gave him a briefing about the arrangements.

Heat stroke centres will be set up in polling stations; water, electricity, toilets and other facilities to be provided

Dr Askari stayed in the city for two hours and went back to Lahore.

Security arrangements

During the meeting it was decided that 12,841 police officials will be deployed at more than 5,000 polling stations in Rawalpindi division. A total of 6,132 officials will perform security duties in Rawalpindi, 2,754 will be deputed in Attock, 1,841 police officials will be deputed in Jhelum and 2,141 will perform duties in Chakwal.

A close monitoring of polling stations will be carried out through CCTV cameras and district monitoring officers will monitor the implementation of the code of conduct.

It was decided that one ambulance will be provided in a six kilometre radius of polling stations and a strategy was finalised for the security of international observers, media persons and journalists as well as for candidates, especially leading politicians.

Provincial Home Minister Shaukat Javed said special attention should be given to the security of public places and foreigners.

Heat stroke centres at polling stations

It was decided that heat stroke centres will be established at polling stations in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal.

The chief minister said necessary facilities should be provided such as clean drinking water, electricity and toilets.

Administrative issues can be overcome by exhibiting the best professional capabilities and polling day will be a performance test for the administration and the police in the real sense, he added.

All political parties will be required to follow the code of conduct, Dr Askari said.

He added that it should be ensured that polling staff and material get to the stations on time as well as facilities such as water and electricity. Hospitals are to be alerted for possible health emergencies.

He said aerial firing and the display of firearms will not be tolerated during election campaigns or on election day and that indiscriminate action will be taken under a zero tolerance policy.

Finance Minister Zia Haider Rizvi said timely provision of funds will be ensured for election related arrangements.

Provincial Minister Sardar Tanveer llyas said a focal person should be deputed for dealing with emergencies on polling day.

The meeting was told that foreign observers will monitor the election campaign and that special steps will be taken for disabled persons at polling stations including the provision of ramps.

Code of Conduct violations

Seven people were fined and 107 were issued notices for the violation of the code of conduct in the Rawalpindi division.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Saif Anjum said the administration is performing day-to-day activities amicably along with dealing with election-related issues.

The meeting was told that arrangements have been made for safely transporting polling staff.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2018