Zubair Qureshi
Like the rest of the country, 183,000 registered voters of Islamabad will exercise their constitutional right of vote on Thursday (today) after a gap of almost five-and-a-half years in tight security.
Polling will take place in three constituencies of the National Assembly (NA-46, 47 and 48) and a close contest is expected between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its arch rival the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates who are though contesting election as independent candidates.
Following two blasts in Pishin and Qila Saifullah in Balochistan province on Wednesday, security has been beefed up in the federal capital to the third (amber) level.
Police, FC and Rangers have been deployed at important points, the state buildings and particularly the polling stations.
Police and security agencies’ personnel earlier on Wednesday supervised the transportation of election material, ballot boxes, ballot papers, lists of the candidates as well as the voters to the relevant polling stations.
Meanwhile, all the necessary arrangements and mock exercises such as receiving the voters to guide them for further process like getting their CNICs examined and ink mark on the finger etc were carried out on Wednesday and the assistant presiding officers and other staff left their polling stations after final nod by their presiding officers.
In Islamabad 990 polling stations have been set up across the three constituencies to facilitate around 183,000 registered voters cast their votes. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan in a statement urged the citizens to cooperate with the police for the sake of smooth polling and peace in and outside the polling stations.
All citizens entering the polling stations will be allowed to enter after a complete check, and individuals will have to go through the search process, he said.
The IGP further said the police force would facilitate the foreign observers and the election beat reporters and they would be allowed to enter the polling stations and closely observe the entire process.
More than 2,000 officials of Islamabad Capital Police will be patrolling in government and non-government vehicles, with Pakistani flags displayed on them for identification.
Moreover, Pakistani flags are also displayed on the vehicles of the Islamabad Police and other law enforcement departments. Priority will be given to ambulances, fire brigades, and other emergency services vehicles in downstream traffic, the police spokesperson said in a statement.
Due to strict checking, citizens are advised to leave their homes on time and cooperate with Islamabad Capital Police officials deployed on duty. Citizens can report any emergency or suspicious activity on “Pucar-15” or at “ICT-15” app. According to the details, the Islamabad Capital Police 6,500 personnel along with 1,000 Frontier Constabulary, 1,500 Rangers and officials of Pakistan Army will perform their duties at polling stations in Islamabad. Moreover, a central control room for elections was established in Safe City Islamabad. The regulations issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan will be ensured during polls and no violation will be allowed in any scenario.
Legal action will also be taken against the display of arms, aerial firing and rioters. Adequate measures for smooth flow of traffic and parking will be implemented.
