Pak Army could be deployed for poll duty

Pakistans caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz has said that the army would be deployed at sensitive places in Pakistan during the January 8 polls.

Islamabad, Dec 26 : Pakistan's caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz has said that the army would be deployed at sensitive places in Pakistan during the January 8 polls.

"The army will not directly interfere in the elections. However, it will remain on standby," he said, added that the Rangers and police would be deployed on routes leading to all polling stations.

He said that the decision to deploy the army rested with the Election Commission (EC) and the provinces.

"Peaceful elections could be held in Pakistan because law and order had returned to normalcy. There had been some problems in the tribal areas and Swat, but these had been solved to a great extent," he said.

Hamid further added that candidates in the Kurram Agency have started their campaign, while local peace committees have also been made and the situation will be normal before the elections."

The EC has turned down a demand by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto that arrangements for the poll should be handed over to the Pakistan Army.

EC Secretary Kanwar Muhammad Khan Dilshad said the Commission was not considering handing over election supervision to the Army, The News quoted.

ANI