LAHORE: Punjab Inspector General of Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan on Friday said that every possible step should be taken for peaceful conduct of by-elections to 20 Punjab Assembly constituencies.
“Apolitical role of the Police will be ensured at all costs during the entire election process.”
Punjab IG Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan issued the instructions during a meeting held to review security arrangements for by-elections to 20 constituencies in 14 districts of Punjab.
He said that the officers and personnel would be responsible for their individual action and negligent officers and personnel will be dealt with sternly. The IGP said that effective implementation of the Election Commission code of conduct should be ensured and there should be no delay in taking strict action against violators without any discrimination. Rao Sardar Ali directed the Lahore police to take special measures in the four constituencies of the provincial capital. He further said that fighting, aerial firing, violation of code of conduct would be unacceptable and there will be a complete ban on display of weapons and use of private guards.
During the meeting, arrangements for deployment of security personnel in the by-elections, provision of security to the staff of the Election Commission and law and order situation were reviewed.
The IGP directed the officers to hold regular meetings with the District Returning Officers and District Administration to devised SOPs for maintaining law and deal with any untoward situation. He also tasked the Special Branch and intelligence agencies to prepare reports of conduct of field officers through monitoring during by-elections. He said that holding of election peacefully is an important responsibility of Punjab Police and any negligence or illegal activity would not be acceptable under any circumstances.
The meeting was attended by Additional IG Special Branch, Additional IG Operations, Additional IG South Punjab, DIG Operations Punjab and CTD higher ups, CCPO Lahore, RPOs and DPOs of 14 districts attended it video link.
