The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued a code of conduct for armed and civil armed forces to ensure fool-proof security during the upcoming general elections.
In a notification, the Election Commission of Pakistan said that security personnel of Pakistan Armed Forces and Civil Armed Forces will ensure a secure environment for easy and safe access of voters to the polling stations.
According to the code of conduct, the police will act as the first level of responders, while the Civil Armed Forces and Armed Forces will act as the second and third level responders respectively.
They will be deployed outside selected highly sensitive polling stations and will also provide security to printing presses during the printing of ballot papers.
Security personnel will monitor the safe transportation of electoral materials from the Returning Officers’ offices to the polling stations and after the polling and counting are completed.
The Code of Conduct emphasizes that security personnel must remain impartial during the electoral process, especially the voting process, and must not work for or against any political party or candidate.
They will identify suspicious voters for checking by police personnel before entering the polling station premises to ensure that no one brings arms, explosives or any undesirable items inside.
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Security personnel of armed forces and civil armed forces while performing duties outside highly sensitive polling stations should pay special attention to ensure a secure environment.
They are directed to report to the Presiding Officer any irregularities, problems, or malpractices with the potential to create a law and order situation.
If the presiding officer does not act to prevent the reported irregularities, problems, or misconduct, the security staff shall immediately notify the concerned returning officer.
Accredited observers and media persons are allowed to enter polling stations, but security personnel are not allowed to take over polling staff duties or take custody of any election materials.
They are not allowed to interfere in any way with the functions of the Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, or Polling Officer.
In case of continuing irregularities or misconduct, security personnel should immediately inform their officer-in-charge so that necessary legal action can be taken.
They are prohibited from interfering in the counting process and must perform their duties diligently outside the polling stations to ensure peaceful completion of the counting process.
