LAHORE, Pakistan: Millions of people will vote on Sunday in Punjab’s 20 Constituencies in a poll of immense significance as it will most likely determine the future ruler of the Country’s biggest province in terms of population for a period up to almost one year.
The polling will start at 8:00 am and it will continue till 5:00 pm in the evening without any break.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has made comprehensive arrangements to hold polling process in a peaceful environment.
The said Punjab Assembly’s 20 Constituencies include PP-7 Rawalpindi, PP-83 Khushab, PP-90 Bhakkar, PP-97 Faisalabad, PP-125 Jhang, PP-127 Jhang, PP-140 Sheikhupura, PP-158 Lahore, PP-167 Lahore, PP-168 Lahore, PP-170 Lahore, PP-202 Sahiwal, PP-217 Multan, PP-224 Lodhran, PP-228 Lodhran, PP-237 Bahawalnagar, PP-272 Muzaffargarh, PP-273 Muzaffargarh, PP-282 Layyah, and PP-288 Dera Ghazi Khan.
The polling is taking place in these Constituencies after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers elected from here in 2018 general elections were deseated for violating the party’s discipline.
Around 4.58 million voters including 2.19 million women are eligible to exercise their right to franchise in Sunday’s by-elections.
The ECP has established 3,131 one polling stations in these 20 Constituencies out of which 676 have been declared highly sensitive and 1,194 sensitive.
The CCTV Cameras have also been installed at highly sensitive and sensitive polling stations while the contingents of Punjab Rangers will patrol the areas and army will be in a stand-by positions to avert any untoward situation.
Voters can also know their polling stations through a specially activated SMS 8300 service for their guidance.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan has set up central and provincial control rooms for the by-elections.
سیکریٹری الیکشن کمیشن عمر حمید خان نے پنجاب پولیس کی طرف سے آئی جی آفس میں قائم کنٹرول روم کا دورہ بھی کیا۔ کنٹرول روم کے دورے کے دوران آئی پنجاب راو سردار علی خان نے مختلف پولنگ سٹیشنوں پر حساسیت کے حوالے سے تعینات نفری اور ریسپانس طریقہ کار پر بریفنگ دی #ECP pic.twitter.com/kGhbhtodDE
— Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL) (@ECP_Pakistan) July 16, 2022
According to the press release issued by the ECP, on the instructions of the Chief Election Commissioner, Officers in Karachi and Islamabad are monitoring the delivery of polling materials from the Control Room.
A Central Control Room has been established in the Election Commission Islamabad.
Complaint regarding polling, can be registered on the phone No. 051-9204402 -3051-9210837- 8 FAX Number 051-9204404.
The Control Rooms will promptly resolve election related complaints.