ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja telephoned Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday and discussed security arrangements for upcoming by-elections in different parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the Interior Minister has also called a meeting of officials of Ministry of Interior, security agencies and Chief Secretary Sindh in this regard to review the arrangements. By-elections on 20 Punjab Assembly seats will be held on July 17. According to Provincial Election Commissioner Punjab Saeed Gul all arrangements have been finalized regarding by-election to be held on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Friday, Saeed Gul said the process of training, allocation of polling staff and security of polling stations have been completed. He said sensitive polling stations will be monitored through CCTV.

He said the Election Commission Punjab has imposed fine of five hundred and seventy-seven thousand rupees on violation of code of conduct while five notices have been taken on aerial firing. He expressed his resolve of holding a transparent by-election. He said election campaign will be ended at 12 am tonight. He said police and rangers to be deployed on the polling stations.