LAHORE CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting here on Tuesday which reviewed the steps taken for maintenance of law and order in the second phase of local government elections in the province. The meeting decided to depute Rangers at highly sensitive polling stations on the elections day for ensuring peace. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister directed that peaceful conduct of second phase of local government elections in 12 districts of the province should be ensured at any cost and police and administration should perform their duties efficiently in this regard. He said that police would have to play an active role for the implementation of the law. He said that the holding of the second phase of local government elections in a peaceful atmosphere was a national obligation and it was prime responsibility of police and administration to ensure supremacy of law and justice. He said that police and administrative officers should utilise all their energies for maintaining law and order on the polling day and security measures should be taken in advance for ensuring peace. He said that those resorting to firing to celebrate victory in election should be in jail and police should deal with such elements with an iron hand. He said that no one could be permitted to take the law in his hands and all citizens were equal before the law. He said that no compromise would be made in the implementation of law. He directed that a ban on display and carrying of weapons should be strictly implemented and indiscriminate action should also be taken against carrying of licenced weapons as strict implementation of the law in this regard was essential for maintaining peace. The chief minister said that licenced weapons of the candidates contesting local government elections should be got deposited in the police stations and licences of such local government candidates who did not deposit their weapons should be cancelled. He directed that a ban on taking out of processions or rallies and firing in the air to celebrate victory should be strictly implemented and in case of violation, action should be taken irrespective of political affiliation of the candidate. He directed that the security plan evolved for this purpose should be strictly implemented and no effort should be spared for the conduct of second phase of local government elections in a peaceful atmosphere. He said that effective implementation of foolproof security arrangements should be ensured for maintaining law and order in the second phase of local government elections and warned that violation of law would not be tolerated. He said that administrative and police officers showing good performance would be encouraged. He directed that proper arrangements should be made for supply of food to the police officers and staff performing duties on the polling day. He said that the cabinet committee should monitor the measures for the implementation of the security plan. He said that a vigorous crackdown should be launched against miscreants. The meeting was informed that a ban on display and carrying of weapons imposed in the province under Section 144 would also apply to licenced weapons. He said that there was also a ban on taking out of rallies and processions and firing in the air for celebrating victory. He said that there would be restriction on the gathering of five or more than five persons near polling stations in the second phase of local government elections in 12 districts and on the polling day five or more than five persons would not be allowed to gather within a limit of 300 meters around polling stations. The meeting reviewed the measures regarding law and order for the second phase of LG elections. Secretary Home and Inspector General Police gave a detailed briefing on security arrangements.
