Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has assured that there won’t be any interruption in internet and communication services during the upcoming polling day on February 8.
After a security meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Raja stated clearly that there are no plans to shut down the internet on election day. With concerns about security rising after recent terrorist attacks on political parties and their gatherings, the ECP emphasized its commitment to holding the elections as scheduled.
The commission also confirmed that security arrangements were well in place, with law enforcement and Pakistan Army personnel deployed to maintain order. They assured the public that everything was being done to ensure a smooth and secure voting process.
Informing the media about security arrangements, the minister said that police and Rangers personnel would be deployed at all polling stations while army personnel would be deployed at sensitive polling stations.
He also warned of action against the government employees who skip their election duties.
With less than a week left in the February 8 polls, security across the country has been heightened with the deployment of law enforcers to ensure the law and order situation in the wake of national-level polls.
The election preparations and campaigns go on in full swing but the country is reeling from consecutive incidents of violence that resulted in multiple deaths, especially at political parties’ rallies in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns regarding the security situation.
An independent and an Awami National Party candidate had been killed in separate gun attacks in Bajaur and Chaman, while several others were injured in separate blasts on Pakistan Peoples Party rallies in different cities of Balochistan.
A day earlier, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally also came under attack in Sibi.