It is reported that a significant number of polling stations for the upcoming general elections are categorized as sensitive. Of 90,675 stations nationwide, 46,065 are sensitive, and 18,437 are highly sensitive. Punjab has 18,620 sensitive stations, with 12,580 sensitive and 6,040 highly sensitive ones. In contrast, 32,000 of Punjab’s 50,944 stations are normal.
Sindh’s situation shows 6,545 sensitive and 6,524 highly sensitive stations, leaving only 5,937 as normal out of 19,006. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 10,309 stations are sensitive or highly sensitive, including 6,166 sensitive and 4,143 highly sensitive ones, from 15,697. Balochistan faces a more severe scenario, with less than 20 percent of its 5,028 stations classified as normal.
Election Commission’s Security Preparations
An official from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) mentioned that these figures might change post-security plan submissions by district police officers (DPOs). The law mandates surveillance cameras in highly sensitive polling booths to monitor the voting process, counting, and result preparation. Provincial governments are responsible for installing these cameras.
The ECP has invoked Article 245 and Article 220 of the Constitution to engage armed and civil forces for election security. These forces will provide security at the most sensitive stations and conduct reconnaissance in each constituency. Additionally, voters can access their polling station details starting Monday via the 8300 SMS service.
