Pakistan Elections 2024: Voting ends, counting begins

At least five people were killed in militant attacks in Pakistan on Thursday as the country voted in a general election after temporarily suspending mobile phone services across the country to maintain law and order.

Voting ends, counting begins

 ECP says no plans to extend voting time

The Election Commission of Pakistan has clarified that they have not received any requests to extend the voting time and the polling will conclude at 5pm.

The statement by the ECP came after multiple reports of the polling process being delayed in various areas of the country.

It added that the unverified and unofficial election results can be broadcast by the media after 6pm.

The ECP statement added that the doors of polling stations will close at 5pm sharp and those voters already present within the premises will be able to cast their votes.

Here is what our experts think about ongoing polls 

 Imran, Elahi cast votes via postal ballot

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf imprisoned founder Imran Khan used postal ballot to cast his vote from the Central Jail Adiala,

A total of fifteen prisoners, among them Imran Khan and former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, participated in the postal ballot voting process.

However, despite pleas from former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, the prison administration was unable to secure the postal ballots.

PTI complaints of rigging in Attock

“Important message for the voters of Attock, NA 49, NA 50 and election officials. This process is nothing but rigged, but GO AND VOTE”-@MajorSadik #VoteForIK pic.twitter.com/AYgm5fNP9N

— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 8, 2024

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman concerned over mobile service suspension

Ameer Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, cast his vote in North Nazimabad and expressed serious concerns about mobile services shutdown.

In a video posted by the party on X, Rehman condemned the suspension of mobile services, labelling it a shameful stunt.

He accused the government of paralysing the communication system on the day of the election.

Rehman claimed material being transported to polling stations via rickshaws as late as 9:30am and 10:30am, with several locations experiencing delayed or improper polling commencement.

Talking about polling station of NA-246 Orangi Town from where Rehman is contesting elections, he said that the preprations were incomplete and raised concerns about last-minute changes in presiding officers.

امیرجماعت اسلامی کراچی و امیدوار حلقہ NA-250 حافظ نعیم الرحمن اپنے حلقہ انتخاب نارتھ ناظم آباد میں اپنا ووٹ ڈالا، بعد ازاں میڈیا سے گفتگو کی#ٹھپہ_صرف_ترازوپر pic.twitter.com/0vzA1XxK6U

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) February 8, 2024

Five killed as violence mars Pakistan election

The interior ministry said it took the steps after at least 26 people were killed in two explosions near electoral candidates’ offices in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday.

Thousands of troops were deployed on the streets and at polling stations across the country as voting commenced and borders with Iran and Afghanistan were temporarily closed.

Four policemen were killed in a bomb blast and firing targeting a police patrol in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district in the northwest during the day, local police chief Rauf Qaisrani said.

One person was killed when gunmen opened fire on a security forces vehicle in Tank, about 40 km (25 miles) to the north.

Dedicated voters 

 MQM’s Khaid Maqbool Siddique warns again rigging 

 CEC Sikandar Raja monitors election proceedings

President Arif Alvi casts vote

اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان نے قومی اور صوبائی اسمبلیوں میں نمائندے منتخب کرنے کے لیے آپ کے ووٹ کے ذریعے آپ کی رائے مانگی ہے۔ یہ آپ کی اسلامی، آئینی اور شہری ذمہ داری ہے۔ میں بمعہ اہل و عیال اپنے پولنگ سٹیشن پر پہنچا، قطار میں کھڑے ہوئے اور ووٹ دیا۔ آپ سب سے بھی درخواست ہے کہ باہر… pic.twitter.com/yn81seIsDi

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) February 8, 2024

Murad Ali Shah casts vote in Sehwan

Former CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah casted his vote in Jamshoro.@MuradAliShahPPP #TOKAlert #MuradAliShah #PPP #Elections2024 pic.twitter.com/BF8uklD8yr

— Times of Karachi (@TOKCityOfLights) February 8, 2024

Bilawal demands immediate restoration of mobile phone services

Mobile phone services must be restored immediately across the country have asked my party to approach both ECP and the courts for this purpose.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) February 8, 2024

Voters share pictures on social media as polling underway across country

 

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