ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan directed Armed Forces set to be deployed for poll duty not to assume duties of polling staff under any circumstances.

In its notification issued, election regulator asked security personnel to “Remain impartial and neutral throughout election process in general and during voting process in particular and shall not act in favour of or against any political party or candidate”.

It said that security personnel belonging to Armed Forces and civil armed forces deputed on election duty would perform their duties in accordance with role of Armed Forces defined in Article 245 of Constitution. Defining their responsibilities, ECP said, “[at polling station,] police will be 1st tier responders, while civil armed forces [and] Armed Forces as 2nd and 3’d tier responders, respectively.”

ECP said that troops would provide security during transportation of ballot papers from printing presses to office of district returning officers. “While performing their duties, they are supposed to first report to PO along with informing in own chain of command of any irregularity/issue/malpractice having potential to create law and order/security situation, they observe outside of selected most sensitive polling station (where deputed) and act according to instructions issued in that regard.  In case PO does not act to prevent commission of any reported irregularity/issue/malpractice, security staff will immediately inform RO concerned.” ECP asked the personnel not take into their custody any election material including ballot papers. Troops were asked not to enter into arguments with any candidate, election agent, polling agent, observer or media person in any manner.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 26 2024

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