Islamabad, Jan 2 (IANS): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday recommended the deployment of the army at all polling stations at the upcomming general elections, saying it should stay there until the results are announced.

The decision was taken after a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakhruddin G Ibrahim and attended by federal secretaries was held to devise a roadmap for the Febriary-March general elections, Geo News reported.

The ECP asked security agencies for suggestions to maintain law and order during the polls.

According to the election commissioner, security was the only problem for the upcoming elections and if law and order was maintained, there was no reason why the elections would not be free and fair.

In the past, Irbrahim said, people had reservations about the elections' transparency and it was everyone's constitutional responsibility to abide by the law.

The only path of a parliamentary democracy was elections and the army chief had assured his cooperation during the electoral process, he added.

The National Assembly's term ends March 18, 2013.