ECP wants the interior ministry to increase security for the elections on October 16 and 23.

Election Commission of Pakistan:

ISLAMABAD: The (ECP) requested increased security in a letter to the interior ministry on Friday in advance of the local body elections and by-elections in Karachi scheduled for October 16 and 23, respectively.

The interior ministry had asked the commission to postpone the polls due to the effects of floods and the potential for a political party to interfere with law and order in Islamabad. The ECP's letter came in response to that request.

In a letter to the interior and defence secretaries, the commission requested that special security measures be taken in light of the findings from the intelligence agencies. The letter was authored by the committee's secretary, Umar Hameed.

Security Arrangements:

The ECP stated that "security arrangements should be beefed-up to conduct peaceful elections."

The electoral body declared that it is up to the provincial government to take the appropriate actions during voting.

The ECP stated that the country's "political atmosphere" is currently "searing" and that floods has made things worse.

The letter stated that "arrangements should be made to maintain law and order."

The ECP informed the ministry that "an adequate number of army, FC, and rangers' men will be there as support if required," adding that police would receive assistance from them in critical regions.

Quick Response:

The commission also asked the Quick Response Force to complete its work as quickly as feasible and gave the appropriate authorities instructions to provide impenetrable security for the by-elections that will take place in Karachi on October 23.