UPPER DIR: It may come as a shocking news for many that more than half of the polling stations established for the upcoming general elections in a peaceful Upper Dir district were declared sensitive. Interestingly, twenty-four of them were identified as the most sensitive polling stations.
Out of 242 polling stations, 73 in PF-91, 77 in PF-92 and 92 in PF-93 have been established. The authorities have recognized 110 polling stations as sensitive while an extra 24 polling stations were described as the most sensitive in a district that remains peaceful. There is no serious security problem except Muhammad Amin Kalay where periodic skirmishes take place between two rival groups over forest dispute. A polling station in this village is categorised as the most sensitive. Besides, polling stations GCMHS Kass, a Mohallah in Dir town, GPS Jarjorai and GMS Chukiatan were also among the sensitive polling stations.
Officials of the election office expressed total indifference when asked about the criteria for declaring a polling station sensitive and most sensitive. “This job was done by the district police,” an official said, advising this correspondent to contact the district police chief. However, the district police officer was not available for comments when reached at his residence phone number.
The local Assistant Election Commission office had completed arrangements for the forthcoming elections and set up 690 polling booths, 260 in PF-93, 226 in PF-92 and 204 in PF-91, in the district. It had also established 92 polling booths for female in PF-93, 77 in PF-92 and 73 in PF-91. The number of registered voters in NA-33 is 2,67,936. It includes 1,78,881 male and 89055 female voters. The registered voters in PF-91 are 88015, in PF-92 86372 and in PF-93 93549. There are 30844 female registered votes in PF-91, 27475 in PF-92 and 30736 in PF-93.
Meanwhile, 242 presiding officers, 896 male assistant presiding officers and 484 female assistant presiding officers, 448 male polling officers and 242 female polling officers were appointed for the January 8 elections. Besides, training to 860 polling staff for conducting elections was completed on Wednesday.
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