Strict Measures In Place For Smooth Conduct Of Polling: Chief Secretary

MUZAFFARABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st july,2016) : Chief Secretary Azad Kashmir Jalal Sikandar Sultan Raja Thursday said that adequate security arrangements had been made for smooth and peaceful conduct of the polling. "Peaceful conduct of the polling will be ensured at every cost," he said while talking to media after reviewing security arrangements made at polling stations here. He said a network of different security agencies had been established to provide secure environment to voters so that they could cast their votes without any pressure and fear. He said more than 22,000 Army troops had been deployed at polling stations in addition to Police and semi armed forces to avert any disturbance in the polling process.

He expressed confidence that the 9-hour polling would be completed in a peaceful manner. Answering to a question, he said the administration was fully neutral and working in line with the directivies of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to implement the polls' code of conduct adding that the national and international media was being facilitated to monitor and cover the polling process. He said the administration was on high alert to tackle the elements attempting to disturb the polling process.

Accordingly, he said, extra ordinary security measures had been taken at sensitive polling stations and the voters having original identity cards were being allowed to enter the premises of polling stations.