Elections 2024: Politicians Demand Immediate Restoration of Internet Services
The complaint cell of the Election Commission has stopped receiving complaints due to disruption in mobile and internet services.
ISLAMABAD: Several key politicians, including PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto, have demanded the immediate restoration of internet and mobile services, denouncing the suspension as casting doubt on the integrity of the entire election process.
The Interior Ministry shut down the internet and mobile phone services in a number of cities before the polling started on Thursday over security fears.
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto has said that internet and mobile services should be restored immediately and said that he has instructed his party to move high court and the ECP in this regard.
Another PPP leader Saeed Ghani said that it is foolish to stop the internet services. He said such steps will raise questions on the electoral process and demanded the ECP to take steps for restoration of the services. He said it is the responsibility of the government to provide security.
MQM leader Farooq Sattar also voiced similar concerns and said such steps are not only causing inconvenience to the public but also will make the election process controversial.
Sindh Govt
Interim provincial information minister, Ahmed Shah said that mobile phone services have been suspended due to terror incidents in Balochistan.
Ahmed Shah emphasized that the decision and authority to suspend mobile phone services ultimately rest with the federal government.
He further explained that while there is a temporary suspension of mobile phone services, it will be restored except in certain areas where security concerns persist.
ECP stops receiving complaints due to internet disruption
The complaint cell of the Election Commission has stopped receiving complaints due to disruption in mobile and internet services.
According to details, citizens across the country are facing difficulties as complaints cannot be lodged with the complaint cell of the Election Commission due to the suspension of internet services.
More From Daily The Destination: Mobile services suspended on election day in Pakistan
It is clear that although the polling process for the general elections 2024 is underway, the government, in view of security concerns, has decided to temporarily suspend mobile and internet services nationwide.
On the other hand, millions of voters across the country have been deprived of obtaining information about their votes due to the disruption of the Election Commission’s 8300 SMS service.
