Islamabad, With the general elections scheduled for Thursday, Pakistan is witnessing fervent electioneering activities as political parties and candidates ramp up their efforts to garner voter support. The country is abuzz with public gatherings, corner meetings, and various campaigning strategies employed by political contenders.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the upcoming elections will determine representatives for 266 general seats in the National Assembly and 593 general seats across the four provincial assemblies. A total of 5,121 candidates are competing for the National Assembly seats, comprising 4,807 men, 312 women, and two transgender candidates. The provincial assemblies have an even larger pool of 12,695 candidates, including 12,123 men, 570 women, and two transgender individuals.
The electorate for these elections is substantial, with a total of 128,585,760 registered voters across the country. Punjab leads with the highest number of registered voters at 73,207,896, followed by Sindh with 26,994,769, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 21,928,119, Balochistan with 5,371,947, and the Federal Capital Islamabad with 1,083,029.
This flurry of electoral activities signifies the vibrant democratic process in Pakistan and the high stakes involved in the general elections, with various parties and candidates vying to represent a diverse and significant voter base.
Sukkur, In preparation for the upcoming elections, Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar has issued directives to enhance security measures at 1,746 sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations across the Sukkur Division. The move is aimed at ensuring a peaceful and incident-free voting process, reflecting the government’s commitment to maintaining order during this critical period.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, the comprehensive briefing on election arrangements was provided by Commissioner Fayaz Abbasi, highlighting the division’s three districts—Ghotki, Sukkur, and Khairpur—and their electoral significance with seven national and 14 provincial assembly seats. The division boasts over three million registered voters, with a notable emphasis on facilitating female participation in the electoral process.
The security deployment strategy, as detailed by DIG Sukkur Hamid Khoso, involves a significant force comprising 14,479 personnel, including Rangers, Pakistan Army members, and policemen, to be stationed across the division’s polling stations. This initiative is particularly focused on areas classified as sensitive or highly sensitive due to their vulnerability to potential disturbances.
The administration’s efforts extend beyond manpower to technological support, with the installation of CCTV cameras at highly sensitive polling stations and the establishment of a comprehensive transportation plan for election materials. A control room has also been set up to monitor the situation and coordinate responses as needed.
The coordination between the army, rangers, Election Commission of Pakistan, and civil administration underscores a unified approach to safeguarding the electoral process. This collaborative effort, along with the completion of polling staff training and the strategic placement of security forces, demonstrates a proactive stance in addressing security concerns and ensuring a conducive environment for voters.