The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalized its preparations for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024. To ensure a fair and transparent electoral process, the ECP has identified over 17,500 polling stations as highly sensitive and more than 32,500 as sensitive.
In a noteworthy move, the ECP has decided to employ advanced surveillance measures by installing CCTV cameras at highly sensitive polling stations across the country. This decision was made to closely monitor the election proceedings and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Consequently, the ECP has issued necessary instructions to the chief secretaries and district returning officers (DROs) to facilitate the installation of these cameras.
The total number of polling stations set up by the ECP for the upcoming elections is 92,500. These polling stations have been categorized into three groups based on their sensitivity levels. Out of the total, 42,500 polling stations have been classified as normal, while 32,508 have been labeled as sensitive. The remaining 17,500 polling stations have been identified as highly sensitive.
According to sources within the ECP, the distribution of highly sensitive polling stations is as follows: 6,599 in Punjab, 4,430 in Sindh, 238 in Balochistan, and 4,344 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). To ensure comprehensive monitoring, CCTV cameras will be installed at these highly sensitive polling stations.
Among the highly sensitive polling stations, Punjab has the highest number with 15,829, followed by Sindh with 8,030, Balochistan with 2,068, and K-P with over 6,500. Additionally, in the federal capital, Islamabad, the ECP plans to set up 990 polling stations and 3,096 polling booths.
By implementing this surveillance initiative, the ECP aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process, assuring the public that their votes will be cast and counted fairly. The installation of CCTV cameras at highly sensitive polling stations is a proactive step taken by the ECP to maintain the credibility and integrity of the upcoming general elections.
