ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to deploy Punjab Rangers and Pakistan Army in upcoming by-elections in view of the volatile law and order situation in the country.
The by-elections are scheduled to be held in NA-122 Lahore-V, NA-144 Okara-II, NA-154 Lodhran-I and PP-147 Lahore-XI on October 11 whereas in PP-16 Attock-II on October 6.
In a press release issued on Monday, the ECP said that the Commission has sent letters the Secretary Interior and the Secretary Defence, asking them to issue necessary directions for the deployment of sufficient strength of Punjab Rangers and Pakistan Army for the by-elections.
“The Election Commission of Pakistan has, in view of the volatile law and order situation in the country as well as demands of Provincial Election Commissioner Punjab, DROs/ROs concerned and political parties, decided to deploy Punjab Rangers/Pakistan Army in the bye-elections of constituencies No. NA-122 Lahore-V, NA-144 Okara-II, NA-154 Lodhran-I, PP-147 Lahore-XI scheduled to be held on 11th October 2015 and in PP-16 Attock-II on 6th October 2015,” the press release said.
“In this regard, letters have been sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Government of Pakistan asking them to issue necessary directions for deployment of sufficient strength of Punjab Rangers/Pakistan Army for all the above-mentioned constituencies under intimation to the Election Commission of Pakistan,” it added.
Meanwhile, the ECP has asked members of the parliament and provincial assemblies to submit yearly statements of assets by Wednesday.
