ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan has made it clear that the administration is responsible for providing security to the candidates and their public gatherings ahead of the general elections even it is not informed prior to any event.
The electoral body on Wednesday approved a new plan of action for the politicians and candidates after a meeting with security officials and the Ministries of Interior, Communications, and Law and Justice.
Local media citing sources reported that local authorities are bound to provide security even if they are not informed beforehand by the election candidates about their rallies and corner meetings.
All four chief secretaries via a video link joined the meeting in which it was also concluded that the relevant policy will be implemented for the security of important politicians and candidates.
Expressing satisfaction at the ECP’s new code of conduct, the Interior Secretary said: “Almost 80 percent of the problems will be resolved should it be properly implemented.”
The policy comes as key political leaders and candidates were attacked in their political meetings during the election campaign.
Around 150 people were martyred and over 250 others injured in the recent wave of terror attacks which hit political gathering in Peshawar, Bannu and Mastung amid elections.
Among those killed were Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haroon Bilour and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) candidate Siraj Raisani.
