The historic polls in Pakistan were underway amid tight security following threats by militants to carry out attacks on poll day.

Islamabad, May 11/Nationalturk – Brisk polling was underway in Pakistan to elect country’s next government amid tight security following terror threats by militant groups. Over six people were killed in separate blasts on the poll day in the country so far.

The Pakistan army, police, paramilitary forces and Rangers were deployed across Pakistan to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. The strength of soldiers in and around polling stations declared “sensitive” or “hyper sensitive” by authorities have been further beefed up.

Long queues of people were seen outside polling stations well before the start of polling. The voting, which started at 8am, will finsh at 5pm. However, voters present on the premises of the polling stations at the closing time will be allowed to cast votes.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, a total of 86,189,802 voters are eligible to cast their votes. Most of them are young voters, who will be exercising their right for the first time.  Of the total votes, 49,259,334 are from Punjab, 18,963,375 from Sindh, 12,266,157 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3,336,659 from Balochistan, 1,738,313 from Fata and 625,964 from Federal Areas. There are a total of 69,875 polling stations across the country. For the convenience of the voters, no polling station is more than a couple of kilometres away from their residences.

According to initial assessments, today’s polling may witness unprecedented voting. A total of 4,670 candidates are standing for parliamentary elections while nearly 11,000 are running for the four provincial assemblies.

The elections are being held for 272 (total 342, including 272 general+10 reserved for non-Muslims and 60 for women) seats of the National Assembly, of which 148 fall in Punjab, 61 in Sindh, 35 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 14 in Balochistan.

The polls follow the bloodiest election campaign in recent Pakistani history. It will also mark a democratic change of power from one civilian government to another after decades of army rule that ended five years ago.

According to political commentators there will be a tough contest by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N and cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PPP of president Zardari is said to be a distant third.

Most surveys say that a hung parliament will come into being.

Observers tip Nawaz Sharif’ PML-N to emerge as the single largest party in the polls. “However, a spirited campaign over the past few weeks by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, 60, who was injured in lifter fall and is presently undergoing treatment, has boosted the chances of PTI. If the voter turnout is higher, the election may spring surprises,” they said.

Some experts point out that Imran Khan could gain some sympathy votes also due to his injury.

The Pakistan Awami Tehrik of Dr Tahirul Qadri, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) of former military ruler Parvez Musharraf (presently under detention) and Jamaat Ahmediya are boycotting the exercise for varying reasons.

Teams of foreign observers are present in the country to monitor transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

 Bomb blasts rock many places

A bomb blast targeting an election candidate in Karachi city killed at least six people and wounded 13 other today.

“The target of bombing near Dawood intersection in Quaidabd area of Karachi was an election candidate of Awami National Party (ANP) Amanullah Mehsud. He was travelling in his car when the bomb exploded. However, he escaped unhurt in the blast”, a senior police official told.

A doctor at Jinnah Hospital in Karachi said six bodies were received by the hospital. “The hospital is also treating 13 people injured in the blast”.

Police said another blast was reported from Orangi Town area of  Karachi city.

Meanwhile, a bomb went off near a polling station in Peshawar, injuring eight people.

“The bomb was planted on a motorcycle. At least eight people including a policeman was injured. The motorcycle was parked outside a women’s polling station,” a senior police officer, told.

There were also reports that a bomb blast took place in Quetta in restive Khyber Pakhtunwa province early this morning.

There were also reports of a  blast and firing near Bannu’s Saddar police station.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks but the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had warned of carrying out attacks on election day in Pakistan.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

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