Security forces to ensure safety, transparency during polls: Pak EC

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said today that security forces will ensure safety and transparency during next month's general election.

ECP secretary Babar Yaqoob said soldiers deployed at the polling stations will have same powers which were given to the security forces during all previous elections.

"Security forces are being given the same powers as given in every other election, Yaqoob said.

He said army soldiers will be deployed both inside and outside polling stations and they will report any discrepancy during the polling.

He said CCTV cameras will be installed at 18,000 polling stations but the secrecy of voters will not be compromised.

The election will be held on July 25 and 350,000 army soldiers will be deployed on the day to ensure security.

Security during the run-up to the election has been a concern after ANP candidate Haroon Bilour was among 20 people killed in a suicide blast on Tuesday in Peshawar.