ECP set to hold polling in 83 snowbound areas of Mansehra

MANSEHRA: The Election Commission of Pakistan is set to conduct polling in 83 snowbound areas throughout the district.

This was stated by Deputy Commissioner/District Returning Officer Shahid Bilal Rao during a briefing at the Postgraduate College on Wednesday.

Rao, along with District Police Officer Zahoor Babar Afridi, visited the college to oversee the dispatch of polling staff and materials to the 870 polling stations designated for two national and five provincial assembly constituencies in the district.

“We have established 83 polling stations in snowbound areas, and 25 of them were relocated to accessible locations due to recent snowfall,” Rao stated, adding that efforts were underway to ensure voter accessibility by clearing blocked roads.

He further said that 900 army personnel were on standby to assist the police in maintaining security and facilitating the transportation of election materials.

Regarding security measures, the district police officer stated that 180, out of the 870 polling stations, were highly sensitive, where closed-circuit cameras had been installed, and additional security personnel deployed.

“Over 4,500 police personnel have been deployed in and around polling stations to ensure peaceful elections,” Afridi added.

He also emphasised the enforcement of Section 144 of CrPC by the deputy commissioner, prohibiting the carrying of arms or engaging in aerial firing throughout the district.

“A complete ban on aerial and celebratory gunshots is in effect, and individuals violating these regulations will face legal consequences,” Afridi concluded.

Meanwhile, the ECP dispatched polling staff and materials at 123 polling stations in the sole provincial assembly constituency in Torghar.

“We have made foolproof security arrangements for election day and dispatched staff and material to respective polling stations across the district,” Ziaur Rehman Marwat, the deputy commissioner Torghar, told reporters. He said that as many as 25 polling stations were established across the district where the male and female voter would exercise their right to vote.