ISLAMABAD: The chiefs of security agencies regarding the latest law and order situation in KP and Punjab briefed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday.
A meeting was held at the ECP headquarters in Islamabad chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja in which the ECP sought the deployment of additional 353,000 troops to ensure security during the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa polls.
The troops were demanded by the ECP after a briefing from the law enforcement agencies, the sources said.
The meeting was summoned by the Election Commission regarding the preparation for polls in the two provinces in line with the order of the Supreme Court.
Later, in a brief statement, the ECP said the purpose of the meeting was to ensure the holding of polls in a peaceful manner.
The commission is meeting the stakeholders in compliance with the apex court orders to hold polls within 90 days of the assemblies’ dissolution.
The elections in Punjab are scheduled to be held on April 30 while the date for KP polls is yet to be finalised.
Both the houses were dissolved in mid-January on the direction of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan to pressure the government for snap elections.
