Security of Voters

As Elections are drawing near, so are the threats of terrorism. Pakistanis entered 2008 with the fresh memories of Benazir Bhutto assassination on 27 December at the WASA gate Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, and then a spate of suicide attacks occurred in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, along with the terrorists capturing Darra Adam Khel and Kohat tunnel.

Shoot outs were also occurred in Karachi, Kohat and Mardan arean, and in Karak militants abducted some 20 school children, and then went free after negotiations by releasing the kids. In these gory circumstances, public of Pakistan is very much fearful of their own safety, and it’s one of the biggest hurdle in the way of larger turnout on 18th February in Pakistan.

Almost 20,000 polling stations have been declared sensitive and police and army is being deployed at those stations. Army has started mobilising and moving to the areas and the deployment will be completed by February 16. That would surly boost the confidence level of the voters, but the need is on the government part is to do more to ensure the security and safety of people and candidates and the electoral process.