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World

Pakistan to deploy 600,000 security personnel for May 11 election against Taliban attacks

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    A Pakistani woman walks past posters of a parliamentary election candidate in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, April 29, 2013. Candidates restricted their election campaigns to corner meetings and social media due to ongoing attacks by Taliban on their offices and rallies of various political parties. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)

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    Roads in Islamabad are decorated with poster of candidates taking part in next month's parliamentary elections in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, April 29, 2013. Candidates restricted their election campaigns to corner meetings and social media due to ongoing attacks by Taliban on their offices and rallies of various political parties. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) (The Associated Press)

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    Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, center, a candidate from Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians for upcoming elections, is greeted by supporters during his election campaign at a market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Pakistan is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on May 11, the first transition between democratically elected governments in a country that has experienced three military coups and constant political instability since its creation in 1947. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) (The Associated Press)

ISLAMABAD – A spokesman for Pakistan's top election body says authorities plan to deploy over 600,000 security personnel during next week's parliamentary election to prevent possible Taliban attacks.

Spokesman Khursheed Alam said on Thursday that the figure includes police, paramilitary forces and 50,000 soldiers who will be deployed around the country for the May 11 vote.

He says the Election Commission of Pakistan would have about 5-10 security personnel at each polling station.

Alam says the Commission is setting up about 73,000 polling stations in Pakistan to ensure a free and fair vote.

The upcoming election is historic as it will mark the first transfer of power between democratically elected governments in this Islamic nation that has experienced three military coups since 1947.