ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed resolve and readiness to conduct the upcoming general elections on the designated date, February 8, despite security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
With just a week left in the February 8 polls, election preparations and campaigns go on in full swing but the country is reeling from consecutive incidents of violence which resulted in multiple deaths, especially on political parties’ rallies in the two provinces, which are generally the most affected by the menace of terrorism.
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 February 8 polls will take place on time. Though the security challenges exist but the election commission is fully ready [to hold the elections], and with the help of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Pakistan Army, the elements involved in hindering the electoral process and disrupting security situation will be dealt strictly,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said during the ECP’s security meeting.
He said that no leniency will be shown towards anyone.
Raja declared terrorism as the biggest enemy of the electoral process and expressed confidence in the LEAs for making all necessary security arrangements for peaceful conduct of polls and provision of a secure environment to both, the candidates and voters in exercising their right to self-determination.
