ECP declares over 3000 polling stations in Karachi as 'highly sensitive'

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declared 3,038 polling stations in Karachi as highly sensitive from a total of 5,342 polling stations across the provincial capital. 

A polling stations list issued by the electoral body's Sindh chapter showed only 128 polling stations as 'normal'.

According to the ECP, in the District West of Karachi, 676 polling stations are being considered 'highly sensitive'.

The authorities established at least 655 polling stations in District Central of which 600 were declared as 'highly sensitive'. In District Korangi, 582 polling stations were described as 'highly sensitive', while 170 were categorised as sensitive. 

Moreover, 471 polling stations of District East were highly sensitive while 311 were added to the list of sensitive. 

In District Kemari, out of 596, 251 polling stations were termed as highly sensitive.

However, Karachi’s District South has 306 sensitive and 279 highly sensitive polling stations.

In order to maintain the law and order situation in Karachi, 46,000 personnel will perform duty on polling day, of which 16,264 will be deployed at the most sensitive polling stations while 18,048 will remain at sensitive polling stations.

The guidelines provided by the ECP said that 'security personnel are to be present at the place of duty at all times to maintain law and order situations'.

The securitymen will not be allowed to leave the place of duty until the completion of the electoral process.