PAKISTAN AWAITS ELECTION OUTCOME AS VOTE COUNT CONTINUES

Thu 08 February 2024:

Counting is underway after polling for Pakistan’s crucial general elections ended on Thursday evening, Anadolu Agency reports.

According to initial results, a tough contest is seen between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of three-time Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, and independent candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of incarcerated ex-Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

Contrary to predictions, the PTI-backed candidates are ahead on dozens of seats across the country, according to the Party, as well as unofficial results reported by national broadcasters.

There were video reports about policemen blocking roads toward polling offices in Karachi. Anadolu could not independently verify them.

A message on Khan’s X account urged his supporters to “remain peacefully outside the offices of the Returning Officers (polling officers) until the full results are out.”

“Guard your vote … A vigil on the vote tonight will free generations of Pakistan from slavery,” it added.

Early today, polling began at 8 a.m. local time (0300GMT) and ended at 5 p.m.

Millions of eligible voters cast their ballot in the general election to elect a new government for the next five years amid heightened security and suspension of cell phone and mobile internet services. The polling day witnessed several bombings which resulted in at least eight deaths.

Thousands of police and paramilitary troops were deployed across the country to ensure a peaceful election against the backdrop of recent militant attacks on polling stations in the south-western Balochistan and north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

At least 12 people, including 10 security personnel, were killed and 39 others were injured in 51 “terror attacks” on the polling day, according to the army.

Clashes between political party workers were also reported in different parts of the country, but no deaths were reported from any area.

Voters formed long lines outside polling stations in the capital, Islamabad, as well as in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and other key cities.

More than 128 million people are eligible to vote to elect lawmakers to 266 general seats of the country’s lower parliamentary house — the National Assembly — and 749 general seats in four provincial assemblies. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will release the details later in the evening on how many votes were cast.

-MEMO

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