The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Thursday that the armed forces would be stationed outside the “most sensitive polling stations” during the general elections on February 8. This decision came after the caretaker federal cabinet approved the deployment of army personnel two days prior.
The ECP stated that the armed forces would be deployed to assist in ensuring security arrangements for the elections. The notification outlined the responsibilities of the armed forces, including providing a secure environment by deploying in Quick Reaction Force mode and outside selected polling stations from February 5 to February 10.
In addition, the civil armed forces would be deployed at the Printing Corporation of Pakistan and Pakistan Post Foundation in Islamabad to oversee the printing, stacking, and storage of the ballot papers from January 12 to February 8.
The ECP further specified that the armed forces should assist in the transportation of election material, provide security during the polling process, and conduct reconnaissance of each constituency. The armed forces were also authorized to exercise powers of a magistrate first class for the entire period of deployment.
The decision to deploy troops was made in response to a request from the ECP, which cited a shortage of 275,000 security officials needed for election duty. The commission had identified shortfalls in security personnel in various regions and highlighted the need for immediate deployment of the Pakistan Army and other security forces at polling stations.
The ECP’s request for deployment of army personnel came amid a rise in militant attacks, which had resulted in the deaths of over 700 security personnel and civilians in the first nine months of 2023.