KP CM reviews election preparedness for Hazara Division

PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Arshad Hussain Shah on Monday reviewed the preparations for the upcoming general elections.

A handout said that he chaired a meeting in Abbottabad.

KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry and Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur and other officials attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed security arrangements and overall readiness for the elections in the Hazara Division.

The meeting was briefed that necessary arrangements had been made across the Hazara Division to hold the general election.

A total of 2,862 polling stations have been established with 392 identified as highly sensitive, 982 as sensitive and 1488 as normal, the communique said.

It said that to ensure security, 14,322 security personnel were required, and various departments had been engaged to address the shortage of the security personnel.

Special preparations have been made for conducting elections in snowbound areas, the meeting was informed.

Expressing satisfaction with the preparations, Syed Arshad Hussain Shah urged the administration to remain vigilant until the conclusion of the electoral process.

Emphasizing the importance of diligence, he directed the deputy commissioners and district police officers to personally monitor all matters to ensure timely transportation of election staff and equipment.

He directed the officials to ensure accommodation and security of the women staff members, and adhere to the directives of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The chief minister directed the relevant officials to ensure the foolproof security of foreigners working on projects in Hazara Division.

He said there should be zero electricity loadshedding during election days, securing assurance from the federal secretary energy that there would be no electricity loadshedding from February 7 to 9, considering the harsh weather conditions in the province.