Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister, Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar, takes proactive measures for the upcoming February 8th elections, directing an extensive security deployment of 16,704 policemen, 2,552 army personnel, and 133 Quick Reaction Force (QRF) members across 2,738 polling stations in the Larkana Division.
In a comprehensive meeting held at the Commissioner’s Office, attended by Minister of Information Ahmad Shah, Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhre Alam, IG Police Riffat Mukhtar, Commissioner Waheed Shaikh, DIG NasirAftab, Deputy Commissioner Larkana Dr. Sharjeel Channa, and other concerned officers, the caretaker CM emphasized the enforcement of a code of conduct and the provision of necessary facilities for free, fair, transparent, and peaceful polling. Commissioner Larkano Waheed Shaikh and DIG Nasir Aftab provided a detailed briefing on the division, comprising five districts with a total of 3,592,271 registered voters.
The division hosts eight national and 17 provincial assembly seats, with a total of 95 candidates for the national assembly and 236 candidates for provincial assembly seats. The security deployment includes 16,704 policemen, distributed strategically across the districts, along with 2,552 army personnel and 133 QRF members. The Election Commission of Pakistan identified 86 rain-affected polling stations, promptly addressed with a release of Rs. 319.289 million for repairs. A strict code of conduct is in place, limiting political parties to specified sizes for posters, banners, and other materials.
In response to code violations, 162 cases related to oversized banners, 2 for organizing public meetings without NOCs, and 11 for public officials participating in political activities were registered. The authorities took swift action, issuing warnings, show-cause notices, and removing 514 illegally displayed banners.
The deployment plan also includes the installation of highly sensitive CCTV cameras by the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), auxiliary forces, and a focus on safety measures such as fire extinguishers at DRO offices.
The CM ensures uninterrupted electricity supply and facilitates the use of generators, solar panels, and lights in areas lacking electricity. As Election Day approaches, the caretaker CM remains committed to a secure and transparent electoral process, focusing on the safety of sensitive election materials and the prevention of misinformation.
