Baghdad-INA
Tens of millions of voters in Pakistan, Thursday morning, began casting their votes in legislative and regional elections taking place against the backdrop of security and political tensions, which are expected to lead to the return of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to assume the presidency of the government for a fourth term.
At exactly eight o’clock in the morning (03:00 GMT), about 90,000 polling stations opened their doors to voters, the day after at least 28 people were killed in two bombings that occurred in the southwest of the country.
The Ministry of Interior announced the “temporary suspension of mobile phone services” throughout the country throughout the election day, citing security reasons.
The vote is taking place amid accusations of fraud leveled by the opposition to the government following a crackdown on the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
About 128 million voters were invited to cast their votes in these elections to choose the 336 representatives of the Federal Parliament and members of the regional parliaments.
With a population of 240 million, Pakistan is the fifth largest country in the world in terms of population.
The elections are taking place amid human rights organizations questioning their credibility against the backdrop of the campaign against Khan’s party.
Overshadowing these elections is Khan, who was sentenced to long prison terms on charges of treason, graft and illegal marriage.
With Khan imprisoned, his party banned from holding election rallies, the media restricted in its coverage of the opposition, and the Election Commission rejecting the papers of dozens of party candidates nationwide, the way has become open for the PML-N to win the largest number of seats in the federal parliament.
Such a victory would give the association’s founder, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (74 years old), a fourth opportunity to run the country.
2024-02-08 14:33:43