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Lahore, Punjab Police, under the guidance of Inspector General Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, successfully maintained security and order during the by-elections across the province. Of the 2,599 polling stations in Punjab, 419 were declared highly sensitive, and 1,081 were considered sensitive. Police teams remained on high alert, ensuring excellent security arrangements and diligently performing their duties.
According to Punjab Police, over 35,000 officers and officials, including female police personnel, were deployed to provide security during the by-elections. Dr. Usman Anwar emphasized that the police made thorough preparations to ensure the peaceful, transparent, and safe conduct of the elections. Security was provided to all polling stations, including 663 male, 649 female, and 1,289 joint polling stations, with additional measures in place for disabled and elderly voters.
CCPO Lahore, RPOs, and DPOs actively monitored security and traffic arrangements, with a focus on keeping anti-peace elements in check. Punjab Police took strict action against any attempts to obstruct the election process, ensuring a peaceful and transparent polling experience with the support of allied departments, armed forces, and security agencies.
Dr. Usman Anwar stated that monitoring of the election process continued through provincial, regional, divisional, and CPO control rooms, with strict compliance with the Election Commission’s code of conduct. Security measures were maintained throughout the province, including at border area checkpoints, to prevent anti-national activities.
After the completion of the polling process, IG Punjab issued directions to keep security on high alert during the vote counting. He instructed officers to enforce strict compliance with the Election Commission’s code of conduct, especially against aerial firing, display of weapons, and other disruptive behaviors. Dr. Usman Anwar further directed that additional security be deployed around camp offices and important locations.
The effective security measures undertaken by Punjab Police contributed to a peaceful and orderly by-election process in the province, with ongoing vigilance as the vote counting proceeds.