ECP requests 350,000 troops for security of Pakistan printing presses

In this file photo, a Pakistani soldier watches a voter cast her ballot during the country's by-election in several constituencies, in Peshawar on Aug. 22, 2013. (A. MAJEED/AFP)

• The Ministry of Defense confirmed to Arab News on June 21 the deployment of 350,000 troops as requested by the electoral body
• Two security officials can be stationed inside and two outside 85,000 polling stations for election duty

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday has requested the deployment of army troops at the three printing presses where ballot papers for the forthcoming 2018 general elections are to be printed.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed to Arab News on June 21 the deployment of 350,000 troops as requested by the electoral body. The army is set to take over security of the Printing Corporation of Pakistan on Wednesday (June 27).
The military personnel will then take up election duties four days before the election.
According to local media, printing presses in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad will all be secured by the armed forces. The distribution of ballot papers is also to be conducted under army supervision.
While the army has previously been given the duty of securing the general elections, the number of troops requested now is unprecedented.
Two security officials can now be stationed inside and two outside some 85,000 polling stations.