ECP asks govt to deploy over 277,000 military personnel in elections

 The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faces a staggering shortage of 277,558 security personnel crucial for ensuring the safety and security of the upcoming general elections 2024, slated for February 8, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.  

In a letter to the interior ministry secretary Aftab Khan Durrani, the ECP has underscored the imperative need for a total of 591,106 security officers across the nation to safeguard the electoral proceedings.

However, the available count stands at a mere 328,510, leaving a glaring shortfall of 277,558 security personnel.

This critical deficit is poised to have a significant impact on the security arrangements for the general elections, creating a potential vulnerability that the EPC urgently calls to address.

The election regulatory body in its letter pleads for the immediate deployment of the Pakistan Army and additional security forces to polling stations nationwide.

The shortage is not uniform, with particular emphasis on the need for bolstered security in various regions.The shortfall is particularly critical in Islamabad, where a deficiency of 4,500 personnel jeopardizes the electoral process.

With only 4,500 personnel available against the necessary 9,000, the capital city faces a substantial security vacuum.

To address this pressing issue, the ECP has set a deadline of December 4, demanding the Interior Ministry outline concrete steps taken to remedy the personnel shortage.

Contrary to recent media reports suggesting a financial crisis affecting election preparations, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi assured the public that the Election Commission faces no such cash crunch. Minister Solangi dispelled rumors and clarified that the federal cabinet has approved Rs42 billion for the ECP, with Rs10 billion already disbursed.

Reporter: Usman Khan