In a move towards ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process, a high-level meeting was convened under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Swat and District Returning Officer, Dr. Qasim Ali Khan. The meeting, held in Saidu Sharif, saw the active participation of key officials, including District Election Commissioner Swat Farid Ullah Khattak, Additional Deputy Commissioner Swat/Returning Officer NA 2 Sohail Ahmed Khan, Additional SP Swat Ghulam Sadiq Khan, and representatives from various relevant departments such as Health, Education, Rescue 1122, and law enforcement. During the session, all aspects pertaining to the security and organization of elections in the polling stations were meticulously examined, leading to decisive measures being taken. Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Swat emphasized the establishment of an Election Complaint Cell within his office to monitor the electoral process effectively and promptly address any emerging issues. “All preparations and arrangements should be completed expeditiously at the polling stations, with special emphasis on security and Rescue 1122 arrangements to handle any untoward incidents,” stated Deputy Commissioner Swat. To ensure a seamless election process, officials from diverse departments, including Forests, Wildlife, Excise, Anti-Corruption, Population Welfare, Health, and Civil Defense, committed their support, in addition to police assistance. The focus extended to providing voters with facilities in polling stations to uphold the principles of clean and transparent elections.
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A detailed breakdown of the electoral infrastructure was presented, indicating the establishment of 996 polling stations for three national and eight provincial constituencies, with 244 designated for men, 232 for women, and 520 combined polling stations. A total of 3327 polling booths will be installed, comprising 1778 for men and 1549 for women. The district boasts a registered voter count of 1,477,872, including 804,311 male voters and 673,561 female voters.
The meeting also delved into the logistics of conducting elections in snowy areas, discussing road clearance, safe transportation of election materials, and the provision of vehicles and machinery for snow removal. Focal persons from each department were appointed, with specific responsibilities assigned to ensure a coordinated effort.
