All set for ‘make or break’ by-polls on 20 PA seats today

LAHORE, July 16 (DNA): Preparations are complete for the by-elections to
be held on 20 Punjab Assembly seats on Sunday (July 17 2022) as the
polling material has been distributed and the authorities have decided
to deploy Rangers and FC personnel in these constituencies in order to
maintain law and order situation.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has also decided to deploy
jawans of Pakistan Army in seven constituencies, while there will be a
complete ban on the display of weapons on the voting day.

A special control room was also installed inside the Interior Ministry’s
office on Saturday to keep an eye on troublemakers.

As many as 175 candidates are in the run for these seats located in
different districts of Punjab, including four in Lahore.

These Punjab Assembly constituencies fall in Rawalpindi, Khushab,
Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Jhang, Shaikhupura, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan,
Lodhran, Bahawalnagar, Muzaffargarh, Layyah and Dera Ghazi Khan
districts which were declared vacant due to defection of members of
Pakistan Tehrik-I-Insaf.

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday said that Pak Army
has completed the assessment of highly sensitive places for July17
by-elections of Punjab.

According to ISPR statement, the assessment of highly sensitive places
has been completed by the Pak Army regarding the by-elections and the
soldiers of the Pak Army will perform duty in the elections, as per
instructions of the Election Commission.

As per statement, Pak Army personnel will be responsible for maintaining
peace during the by-elections and Pakistan Army personnel will perform
QRF duty.

Pak Army personnel as third-level responders inspected highly sensitive
locations in the respective areas, checking troops to deal with the law
and order situation.

CCTV Cameras have also been installed at highly sensitive and sensitive
polling stations while the contingents of Punjab Rangers will patrol the
areas and army will be in a stand-by positions to avert any untoward
situation.

Voters can also know their polling stations through a specially
activated SMS 8300 service for their guidance.

A central control room has been established in Election Commission
Islamabad. Complaint regarding polling, can be registered on the phone
No. 051-9204402 -3051-9210837- 8 FAX Number 051-9204404. The Control
Rooms will promptly resolve election related complaints.

Secretary Election Commission Umar Hameed Khan visited Provincial
Election Commission Office Punjab in Lahore on Saturday and reviewed
polling and security arrangements.

Lahore Police’s Operation Wing carried out a full-dress rehearsal to
demonstrate its state of readiness ahead of the by-elections which have
gained ‘make or break’ status as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PML-N) government’s future in the province depends on it.

With their popularity at stake, the PML-N needs to win 10 seats and its
rival Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), on the other hand, has to grab 13
seats in order to create an upset and send CM Hamza Shehbaz’s government
home.

Election Commission of Pakistan has set up special control rooms at
central and provincial levels to monitor the by-elections, being held in
20 constituencies of Punjab Assembly.

According to the Election Commission, the control rooms will continue
working till compilation of polling results.

Returning Officers, relevant Deputy Commissioners, representatives of
police, Rangers and Pakistan Army will be present in the control rooms
to deal with any emergency.

The Control Rooms will promptly resolve election related complaints.
Complaints can be registered in central control room Islamabad at
051-9210837; 051-9204403; 051-9204402; and 051-9210838.

Complaint can also be communicated through fax number 051-9204404 and
email; [email protected]

Provincial control room, Lahore could be contacted at landline telephone
042-99212620; 042-99212209 and email [email protected].