Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Thursday said that that despite existing security challenges, the upcoming elections will be held on February 8.
“The Election Commission is fully prepared to conduct the elections with the support of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and the Pakistan Army,” the CEC said.
He expressed these views while addressing an important meeting held by the Election Commission to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan and its impact on the general elections.
The CEC made it clear that despite terrorism, security challenges, and incidents affecting the electoral process, the elections will not be postponed and will take place on schedule. He urged everyone not to harbor any misconceptions or doubts in this regard.
The CEC warned that decisive measures would be implemented against any elements attempting to undermine peace and security during the electoral process.
Apart from the ECP members, caretaker federal minister for interior, federal Secretary of interior, director general Intelligence Bureau DG-IB, chief secretary and inspector generals of police (IGPs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Balochistan, representatives of other agencies, secretary ECP, and other senior officers participated in the meeting.
The secretary of the ministry of interior, chief secretaries of KP and Balochistan, and IGs of the respective provinces briefed the meeting on the security situation and the protective measures taken nationwide and particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
They assured the ECP that all administrative and security agencies are on high alert and fully prepared to combat terrorism.
The chief secretaries and IGs of Balochistan and KP also outlined the ongoing operations against terrorists in their respective provinces.
They informed that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure security during the elections.
The top KP and Balochistan officials affirmed that no political or non-political force would be allowed to obstruct the electoral process, and those attempting to do so would be dealt with firmly.