370,000 troops deployed for Pakistan election that’s still ‘up for grabs’
Mammoth deployment coupled with decision to grant military officers broad powers inside polling booths has stirred fears of possible manipulation ahead of the contest
Pakistan’s military fanned out across the country ahead of Wednesday’s election, deploying hundreds of thousands of troops to oversee polling stations in a short but acrimonious contest that analysts say is still “up for grabs”.
Armed soldiers watched closely as election officials in the capital Islamabad Tuesday distributed ballot boxes and voting materials for polling stations across the city.
The armed forces have stationed over 370,000 personnel nationwide to ensure the vote goes smoothly – the largest such deployment in Pakistan’s history on an election day.
“Deployment of troops completed across the country,” the military said in a statement late on Monday, saying the troops would work with local law enforcement to ensure “a safe and secure environment” for voting.
The mammoth deployment coupled with a recent decision by election authorities to grant military officers broad powers inside polling booths has stirred fears of possible manipulation ahead of the contest.
