Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, An extensive meeting led by the Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Justice Retired Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, was held on Tuesday to review the region’s preparations for the upcoming 2024 general elections. The session saw the participation of various key officials and employed advanced technological measures to ensure comprehensive coverage and coordination.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the meeting brought together provincial ministers, the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Additional Chief Secretary Home, and other relevant officials. Additionally, Divisional Commissioners and Regional Police Officers joined via video link. The primary focus was on the progress and readiness for conducting simultaneous provincial and national assembly elections in both merged and arranged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This will be the first instance of such a coordinated effort in the region.
The assembly was briefed on the logistical aspects of the elections. It was disclosed that the province would set up 15,737 polling stations, categorized based on security sensitivity. Out of these, 4,812 are deemed most sensitive, 6,581 sensitive, and 4,344 normal. Special attention is being paid to 1,919 polling stations located in snowy areas.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a significant voter base, with 2 crore 16 lakh 92 thousand 381 registered voters. Addressing security concerns, the meeting outlined the deployment of security personnel. The most sensitive polling stations in merged and southern districts will have 11 security officials each, while other sensitive stations will have a varying number of personnel based on their assessed risk level. However, there is a noted shortfall of 25,471 security personnel, which has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Requests for additional Frontier Corps wings and Frontier Constabulary platoons have been made.
Furthermore, the provincial government has arranged for 26,213 additional personnel from various departments to assist in the election process. A command and control center is established in the Home Department for election day monitoring, complemented by district-level contingency plans by the police. The plans extend beyond security, including rescue, emergency, and health emergency arrangements.
The meeting also highlighted technological preparedness, with 5,552 CCTV cameras ready for deployment and additional funds released for procuring more cameras. Accessibility measures are being implemented at polling stations, with ramps available for special persons and more under construction.
Overall, the meeting underscored Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s commitment to ensuring a secure, accessible, and well-managed electoral process, with special provisions for challenging areas like snowy regions. The detailed planning and resource allocation demonstrate the region’s dedication to facilitating a fair and orderly electoral exercise.