In a concerning turn of events, a bomb blast occurred outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Balochistan’s Nushki District on Sunday, raising security concerns just days before the scheduled General Elections on February 8. This incident follows a similar explosion outside the Karachi office of the Election Commission last week.
According to reports from ARY News, the explosive device was detonated outside the gate of the ECP office in Nushki. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far. Law enforcement agencies have swiftly responded, cordoning off the area and initiating a search operation to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The police have yet to determine the nature of the explosion, and an inquiry is currently underway. This incident underscores the growing security challenges faced by the authorities in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the upcoming elections.
Last week’s explosion outside the Karachi ECP office, situated in the red zone area, saw no casualties either. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) reported that the explosive material was stored in a shopping bag beside the office wall, emphasizing that it did not contain ball bearings.
In addition to these attacks on election commission offices, several incidents of violence have marred the pre-election atmosphere in Balochistan and Karachi. On Friday, hand grenade attacks targeted political entities and election-related offices, leaving six individuals injured, including workers from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
In Kalat town’s Mughalsarai area, three PPP workers were wounded when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle targeted the party’s election office, detonating a grenade in close proximity to the building, as reported by Dawn.
As the investigation into these incidents continues, the Election Commission of Pakistan has requested reports from the District Monitoring Officer and SSP South regarding the Karachi explosion. The recent wave of violence raises concerns about the security measures in place for the upcoming general elections.
With just days remaining until the polls open across the four provinces of Pakistan, authorities are under increased pressure to ensure the safety of voters, political candidates, and election commission personnel. The incidents highlight the need for a robust security apparatus to safeguard the democratic process and maintain public trust in the electoral system.
Sources By Agencies
