RAWALPINDI: Each designated officer in-charge of armed forces deployed for security at polling stations shall exercise power of magistrate first class, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Tuesday through a notification to this effect.
The notification said deployment of the armed forces shall be made for provision of secure environment in conduct of election in free, fair, and transparent manner.
“Military troops will be deployed inside and outside all the polling stations from July 23 to 27,” it said.
It said the armed forces have been given responsibility to make foolproof security arrangements during the printing, stacking and storage of ballot papers.
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It said the armed forces shall provide security during transportation of ballot papers and other materials from printing presses to respective polling stations and back to district treasuries or ECP’s strong rooms.
The notification said the armed forces shall also deploy sufficient number of mobile vigilance teams, Quick Reaction Force and reserves in all constituencies to provide secure environment.
The notification reads that the security staff deployed on a polling station is supposed to first report to the presiding officer, then officer in-charge, and returning officers concerned respectively if he finds any irregularity or malpractice during the election process.
 announced on Tuesday through a notification to this effect.){kind=link}