Despite security challenges, ECP 'fully ready' to stage polls on Feb 8

• ECP expresses resolve and readiness to conduct February 8 polls. 
• "Feb 8 polls will take place on time despite security challenges". 
• CEC expresses confidence in LEAs in ensuring peaceful polls.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday expressed resolve and readiness to conduct the upcoming general elections on the designated date, February 8, despite security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

With just a week left in the February 8 polls, election preparations and campaigns go on in full swing but the country is reeling from consecutive incidents of violence that resulted in multiple deaths, especially at political parties’ rallies in the two provinces, which are generally the most affected by the menace of terrorism.

Security across the country has been heightened with the deployment of law enforcers to ensure the law and order situation in the wake of national-level polls.

“The February 8 polls will take place on time. Though the security challenges exist but the election commission is fully ready [to hold the elections], and with the help of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and Pakistan Army, the elements involved in hindering the electoral process and disrupting security situation will be dealt strictly,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said during the ECP’s security meeting.

He said that no leniency will be shown towards anyone.

With a deteriorating law and order situation just days ahead of the general elections, a key meeting of the top electoral body took place in Islamabad to discuss the situation in the two provinces, this evening.

A statement, released by the ECP after the meeting ended, stated that the CEC expressed concerns about the deteriorating security situation in KP and Balochistan but stressed that the electoral process won’t stop despite the challenges.

Raja declared terrorism as the biggest enemy of the electoral process and expressed confidence in the LEAs for making all necessary security arrangements for peaceful conduct of polls and provision of a secure environment to both, the candidates and voters in exercising their right to self-determination.

He also warned the LEAs to stay cautious of the efforts to take law in hands during the day of polls, especially during the counting of votes and results compilation and announcement.

The meeting was attended by caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz, Interior Secretary Aftab Durrani, intelligence officials, chief secretaries and police chiefs of Balochistan and KP as well as senior members of the ECP.

The officials informed the CEC about the significant measures taken across the country especially in KP and Balochistan for ensuring the security and peaceful conduct of elections.

Officials from Balochistan stated that the provincial administration and security institutions are fully alert and ready to deal with possible incidents of terrorism.

Meanwhile, the KP officials informed the meeting about the completion of preparations for the polls — taking place in the province for the first time since the merger of former federally administered tribal areas — and the provision of all required resources to the LEAs.

Interior Minister Ejaz also assured the commission of completion of all arrangements and cooperation with the ECP for the conduct of polls without any negligence.

Earlier today, caretaker Interior Minister Ejaz put to rest all the doubts regarding any delay in the upcoming general elections, saying that the polls would be held on February 8 under any circumstances. 

"Elections will be held on February 8, no one should have any confusion on this," the interim minister told the journalists after the electoral body's meeting.

He said that the election commission and caretaker government will ensure the conduct of the polls on the designated date come what may. 

The security situation in KP and Balochistan provinces created concerns regarding the conduct of elections.

Recent attacks on political rallies, offices and candidates, alongside terror incidents, have seen a surge, particularly in the two restive provinces, for the last few weeks.

In the wake of the murder of Rehan Zeb Khan — an independent candidate contesting for National Assembly seat from Bajaur, NA-8 — the ECP directed the provincial chief secretary and inspector general of police to submit a comprehensive report of the incident, an official said.

Zeb, a PTI youth activist, was gunned down by unidentified armed assailants, who opened fire on him in his hometown Bajaur on Wednesday.

According to media and monitoring teams' reports, taking notice of the incidents of firing on a convoy of a political party in Qila Abdullah district of Balochistan in which one person was killed and a grenade attack outside the house of a candidate of PB-25 constituency in Kech district, the ECP has sought immediate reports from the chief secretary and IG Balochistan. It directed for immediate action to be taken against those involved.

Meanwhile, the ECP also took notice of the bomb attack at the election office of a political party in Quetta and sought an immediate report from the Balochistan chief secretary and inspector general of police. It also directed for taking action against the culprits under the election laws.

A day after a deadly blast ripped through Balochistan’s Sibi, the United States issued a condemnation of the attack that reportedly killed at least four people and injured several others.

The US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said the attack “undermines the electoral process”.