ECP all set to receive Rs17bn in election funds

• Commission summons finance secretary
• Seeks army’s deployment at polling stations for Feb 8 polls, points out shortfall of over 277,000 policemen
• Caretaker information minister rules out ‘financial crisis’

ISLAMABAD: The Finance Minis­try on Monday assured the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of releasing Rs17 billion “in a day or two” after the poll watchdog raised alarm over the delay in the release of the urgently needed amount for the conduct of polls on February 8.