Troops deployed across Pakistan for General Election 2018

RAWALPINDI: With General Election 2018 merely few hours away, the process of deployment of security forces for free, fair and transparent conduct of General Election 2018 has been completed at all the polling sites of the country.

The troops have been deployed to provide mandated assistance to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the conduct of polls, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The media wing of armed forces further apprised that coordination with other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and local administration is in hand for ensuring safe and secure environment during the polls.

The logistical arrangements for polling booths are being carried out under the supervision of deployed troops.

More than 17,000 polling stations are declared sensitive across Pakistan. CCTV cameras have also been installed at polling stations.

Around 800,000 law enforcement and army personnel are in command for ensuring security on election day.

The General Election 2018 will be held in Pakistan on July 25 (tomorrow) amid tight security arrangements.

For the upcoming elections, a number of 220 million ballot papers have been printed. The color of ballot paper for the National Assembly is green whereas white colored paper shall be used for the Provincial Assembly.

According to the electoral body the ballot papers are specially designed this time bearing significant security features.

The polling process will start at 8:00 am on Wednesday.

All voters need to carry with them their original National Identity Card. The officers will verify the identification of a voter before checking his/her name in the voting list.

The voter will then be given a serial number and will be asked to imprint their thumbprint next to their name, after which the officer will cross out the voter’s name from the list.

The officer will then mark the voter’s thumb with indelible Ink.

An assistant Presiding Officer will issue the voter two ballot papers for the national and provincial assemblies respectively after signing at the back of both the sheets.

The voters standing behind a voting screen will be able to stamp on the name of their preferred candidates.

The National Assembly paper will then be inserted into the box with the green lid.

The provincial assembly paper will be inserted in the box with the white lid.

The polling process will end at 6:00 pm.

Although the polling stations will be closed by 6:00 pm, any voter that has entered the polling station before 6:00 pm will still be allowed to cast his or her vote.