Voting across Pakistan wrapped up amidst a backdrop of sporadic violence and disruptions in mobile and internet services aimed at preventing terror attacks.
The polling, which began at 8:00 AM and extended until 5:00 PM, took place under heightened security measures due to concerns of potential terrorist threats.
Despite the challenges, a countrywide public holiday facilitated the participation of the 128,585,760 registered voters.
However, certain polling stations experienced delays in the voting process, and reports emerged of a terror attack targeting security forces, resulting in the tragic loss of four policemen.
Following the conclusion of voting hours, individuals present within polling station premises were allowed to cast their votes.
The subsequent procedures involved unsealing the ballot boxes in the presence of candidates' agents, with counting supervised by the presiding officer of each polling station.
The announcement of results is anticipated to commence before midnight, with most outcomes expected by the following morning.
However, the disruption of cellular and internet services throughout the country during the polls raised concerns among political parties regarding the transparency of the electoral process.
Over 650,000 security personnel were deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of voters and polling stations.
Yet, the absence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, has added complexity to the political landscape, with Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) projected to secure a prominent position in the elections.
Meanwhile, Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates contested independently after the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission's decision to revoke the party's iconic election symbol, the cricket bat.
Additionally, Pakistan faces ongoing challenges in its fight against terrorism, exacerbated by resurgent militancy since 2021, following the rise of the Afghan Taliban. Baloch nationalists and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan pose significant security threats that the new government will need to address effectively.
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