Strong Voter Turnout Amidst Challenges on Election Day.
ISLAMABAD: Millions of Pakistanis are voting on Thursday in a General Election that was marred by violence, allegations of rigging, and an unprecedented internet and mobile phone blackout across the country.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that the internet and mobile service were suspended due to security reasons, and would be restored once the situation improved.
The move sparked criticism from the opposition parties, especially the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which accused the poll body of trying to manipulate the results.
The PPP also filed a complaint with the ECP, alleging that its polling agents were not allowed to enter some polling stations, and that some ballot boxes were tampered with. The ECP said that it had received complaints of irregularities, and that it would investigate them.
The voting process was also disrupted by several incidents of violence, including clashes between supporters of rival parties, attacks on polling staff.
Despite the challenges, a large number of voters, especially the young ones, turned out to exercise their right to choose their representatives for the next five years.
The election was seen as a test of the popularity of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which faced a strong challenge from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former prime minister Imran Khan, who is currently serving a jail term in Adiala jail.
The PML-N claimed that it had delivered on its promises of economic development, infrastructure projects, and energy security. The PTI, on the other hand, promised to bring a change in the system, fight corruption, and provide social justice.
The other major parties in the fray included the PPP, headed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), led by Sirajul Haq, and the Awami National Party (ANP), led by Aimal Wali Khan.
The leaders of all these parties cast their votes in their respective constituencies, and urged their supporters to come out in large numbers. They also appealed for peace and harmony, and warned against any attempts to rig the election.
As of the latest updates, international observers from various organizations, including the European Union and the Commonwealth, have been monitoring the election process closely, expressing concerns over the reported irregularities and violence.
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In response to the allegations of rigging and irregularities, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated investigations into the complaints filed by opposition parties. The ECP has assured the public that it will ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of sporadic protests in different parts of the country, with supporters of various political parties taking to the streets to voice their grievances. Security forces have been deployed to maintain law and order and prevent any escalation of violence.
The final and official results are expected to be announced by the ECP within in a day or two, after which the process of forming the government will begin.
