Rawalpindi - The district election commission (DEC) on Thursday brought the ballot papers and other election-related material to the offices of chief executive officers (CEOs) of cantonment boards under strict vigilance of troops of Pakistan Army.
As many as 305 polling stations have been set up in both Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB), and 115 out of them were declared highly sensitive. Of 115 sensitive polling stations, 90 were located in CCB while 48 are established in RCB.
A training session was also organized for the presiding officers and other election staff, an official of RCB told The Nation. He said that the whole election process would be held under the surveillance of Pakistan Army. To maintain law and order, the well-equipped squads of Pakistan Army have been patrolling in the areas, a source said.
Similarly, Regional Police Officer Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja issued directions to Rawalpindi police to keep a vigil on suspicious elements in areas where election would be held on April 25. He also asked them not to allow any supporter of candidates to display weapons in public gatherings.
On the other hand, the candidates of PTI, PML-N, JI and PPP flexed their muscles on the last day of electioneering by taking out huge rallies and holding public gatherings in almost all the areas.
The excited supporters took out rallies while holding portraits of their beloved candidates and party flags. They were also chanting slogans in favour of their candidates. Many supporters were dancing on the tunes of Indian and Pakistan songs. During this entire episode, the traffic remained jammed in the many areas including Ahmedabad, Bakra Mandi Chowk, Dheri Hassanabad, Lalkurti, Tulsa, Lalazar, 502 Chowk, Saddar and Afhsan Colony.
PML-N candidate Haji Zafar Iqbal of ward number 6 carried out a massive public rally on Dhamial Road with the participants riding on motorcycles and cars decorated them with stuffed lions (the election symbol of PML-N). Later, the candidate addressed his supporters in a private marriage hall.
Similarly, PTI candidate Zeeshan Warraich took out a public rally in Lalazar to get public support. He also addressed a public meeting later.
Ayaz Khan Jaddon, an independent candidate and Khalid Warraich of JI also held public rallies at Chungi number 22 and Lalazar areas respectively.
Till filling of this report, the candidates of all the parties were busy holding public rallies.