Pakistan's polling body asks govt to deploy army on general election day citing shortage of police personnel

Ahead of general elections in Pakistan, the election commission has asked the government to deploy the army to ensure peace during polls citing the shortage of 2.77 lakh police personnel to provide security during the polling.

Cash-strapped Pakistan will go to polls in February 2024. According to a letter written by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to the Interior Ministry, the provincial police force is not sufficient to provide security during the polling.

Pakistan needs at least 591,106 security personnel for the upcoming elections but the country is short of 277,558 police personnel.

The polling body has suggested the deployment of army personnel to fill the requirement to maintain law and order in the country.

The letter, referring to the bad law and order situation in the country, said the deployment of the army and civil armed forces as a static and quick response force be ensured.

On Tuesday, the Finance Division said it has released Rs 17.4 billion to the Election Commission for the upcoming general elections.

The amount was in addition to the Rs 10 billion released in July 2023, the Finance Ministry said, highlighting that the latest disbursement brought the total funds released for polls to Rs 27.4 billion.

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi earlier said the government would meet the financial needs of the ECP ahead of the February 8 general election.

“There is no crisis in meeting the financial needs of the ECP, Solangi said in a post on X.

“Whatever budgeted amount is needed by the ECP will be released as per its needs accordingly, he said.

“The Finance Division remains committed to provision of funds as and when required by the Election Commission of Pakistan, it added.

With inputs PTI