Despite the suspension of mobile services in Pakistan due to security concerns, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja assured on Thursday that the Election Management System (EMS) is not reliant on the Internet, ensuring the smooth functioning of electoral processes.
Polling for the general elections commenced at 8:00 am and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00 pm, accommodating 128,585,760 registered voters.
While the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) initially declared that internet services would remain operational during voting, twin terror attacks claimed at least 30 lives, prompting the caretaker government to suspend mobile services amidst escalating security concerns.
Addressing the media shortly after polling began, CEC Raja emphasized the autonomy of the election system from mobile services, stating, "Our system is not dependent on it (mobile services). Our system is not independent of the Internet... There will be no impact on our preparation because of this."
Implemented for the first time by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the EMS app facilitates the relay of election results from polling stations to a centralized system for comprehensive tabulation.
Days prior, ECP Secretary Syed Asif Hussain affirmed the resilience of the EMS, stating that it would function seamlessly even in the absence of internet connectivity, with returning officers empowered to compile results offline. Moreover, over 60 returning officers in remote areas received satellite connectivity to ensure continuous communication.
However, concerns over internet blackouts arose on election day, with the NetBlocks Internet observatory reporting disruptions in multiple regions of Pakistan alongside mobile network suspensions. This development follows months of digital censorship targeting political opposition, raising questions about the transparency and accessibility of the electoral process.
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