Voting time that commenced at 8 am at polling stations across Pakistan— the world's fifth biggest democracy—concluded at 5 pm, for the national and provincial assemblies as a large number of registered voters exercised their right to vote.
The ECP clarified that time for polling will not be extended and only allowed for voters who are present inside the polling station. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demanded the ECP to extend the polling time.
The vote count process has been kicked off and SAMAA TV has started receiving the unofficial and unveiled results but it will start publishing the results of respective national and provincial constituencies by 6 pm as per the directions of the supreme electoral body. Polling time was extended at only three polling stations in Gujrat.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notification to change of Returning Officer (RO) of NA-130 Lahore has surfaced. DRO of NA-130 wrote a letter to the Provincial Election Commissioner to change the Returning Officer (RO) citing medical grounds for RO.
PMLN supremo Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has defeated PTI-backed independent candidate Yasmin Rashid from NA-130. Polling time was extended at polling station number 260, 304 and 338. The polling time was extended at the request of the District Returning Officer (DRO).
The Election Commission of Pakistan has extended the polling time of 3 constituencies NA-62 of Gujrat and three polling stations No 260, 304, and 338 of PP-28 Gujarat by two hours. Polling will continue till 7 pm.
The polling process for the general elections 2024 was held in large and smaller cities across the country wherein hundreds of thousands of army men, police officers, and law enforcement agencies personnel were deployed for security while 200 polling stations were declared highly sensitive in the metropolis.
Several violent incidents occurred across the countries inlcuding DI Khan, Kohlu, Mirpur Khas, Multan, Chakwal, Kot Addu, Jhang, and Lakki Marwat.
There were 127,415,319 registered voters out of a total population of 242,828,767 in 266 National Assembly constituencies. In Punjab, there are 73,207,896 registered voters out of 127,688,922 population in provincial seats. In Sindh, there are 26,994,769 registered voters out of 55,696,147 total population living in the constituencies of 130 Sindh Assembly seats. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are 21,928,119 registered voters out of a total population of 40,856,097 on 115 provincial seats. In Balochistan, there are 5,371,947 registered voters out of 14,894,402 population living in 51 Assembly seats.
In Lahore, 1120 polling stations were declared highly sensitive while 3,000 polling stations were declared sensitive. 26,000 police officers were deployed at various polling stations in the capital metropolis. Monitoring of highly sensitive polling stations with 4,480 CCTV cameras.
The district administration asked voters should bring their original National Identity Card with them. Police said that it is not allowed to carry mobile phones inside the polling station.
Mobile services suspended throughout the day
Amid recent terrorist attacks plaguing the nation and claiming numerous precious lives, the government has taken action to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. Mobile services have been temporarily suspended across the country as a proactive measure to maintain peace and order amidst potential threats.
The decision to suspend mobile services was announced today by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the necessity for stringent security measures. This step aims to disrupt any potential communication channels utilized by terrorist elements, thereby aiding law enforcement agencies in their efforts to thwart any planned attacks and safeguard innocent lives.
While the temporary suspension of mobile services may cause inconvenience to the public, the government emphasizes that it is a critical step in the ongoing battle against terrorism. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces to ensure the swift restoration of normalcy. This move underscores the government's unwavering commitment to combat terrorism and uphold the safety and well-being of its people.
Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar taking to Twitter said: "Suspending mobile phone signals across the country is the origin of fraud. Cutting off contact of candidates with their agents and election machinery is gross abuse. Police brutality has also been faced for some time. By the time information comes from somewhere, it will be too late. Bullying and rigging elections are not allowed."
ملک بھر میں موبائل فون بند کرنا، دھاندلی کی ابتدا ہے۔ امیدواروں کا اپنے ایجنٹس اور انتخابی مشینری سے رابطہ کاٹنا سرا سر زیادتی ہے۔ کچھ عرصہ سے پولیس گردی کا بھی سامنا ہے۔ جب کہیں سے اطلاع آئے گی دیر ہو چکی ہو گی۔ دھونس اور دھاندلی کے الیکشنز نا منظور
— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) February 8, 2024
ECP central control room to monitor elections becomes non-operational
The central control room of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) became inactive due to the shutdown of mobile phone and internet services.
The central control room of the ECP became inactive due to the shutdown of mobile phone and internet service. According to the spokesperson of the control room, no complaint has been received yet.
ECP Control spokesperson Room Haroon Shinwari said that no complaints have been received due to the shutdown of internet and mobile phone service and no complaint has been received in the control room so far, but polling is being held peacefully across the country.
It is pertinent to note that the polling process for the general elections 2024 was held, however, due to security concerns, the caretaker government has decided to temporarily shut down mobile and internet services across the country.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged authorities to restore mobile and internet service. Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman talking to the media persons in Karachi after casting his vote, he said, “This is a great injustice with the 250m population of Karachi, where they have shut down mobile services."
Violent incidents in different cities claim 6 lives inlcuding Army personnel in DI Khan
In an early morning attack on security forces, one security personnel embraced martyrdom in Dera Ismael Khan. The security team was deployed at the polling station.
As a result of a hand grenade attack on a police van in Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan), five police officers were martyred and three officers were injured.
As per the local authorities, a grenade attack on a police van was carried out in Graha Aslam area of Tehsil Karachi. According to the police, the condition of an injured policeman is critical.
“Security forces have reached the scene and started the investigation,” the local authorities said.
In another incident, a blast occurred in Balochistan's Kohlu wherein two persons sustained injuries.
Separately, a watchman was killed in a politically motivated firing incident in Sindh's Mirpur Khas district.
Several violent clashes among the voters were reported in NA-29 Peshawar, NA-179, NA-223 and NA-158 Ghotki.
Kot Addu firing
As per media reports, a clash among supporters of two candidates in occurred in Tehsil Chowk Sarwar Shaheed of Kot Addu.
In this regard, the police said that the condition of four injured is critical, who were referred to Nishtar Hospital. The fight took place between supporters of independent candidate Murtaza Rahim Khar and PMLN candidate Amjad Abbas Chandia.
Police said that DPO Syed Hasnain Haider and Rangers personnel reached the spot. The matter took place due to the exchange of hot words among voters.
Two groups fired at a political party camp in Chakwal
Two groups fired at a political party camp outside Chakwal polling station of Chakwal Constituency NA-59 in which four persons were injured.
The police said that the returning officer stopped the polling process at the polling station while the injured were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Telangana.
According to Deputy Commissioner Chakwal, the firing incident took place 400 meters away from Tala Gang polling station number 163.
He said that the incident of firing occurred due to personal enmity between two persons, the firing has nothing to do with the polling process.
Clash between PPP and PML-N workers in Gujranwala
In Gujranwala, there was an altercation between PPP and PML-N workers at NA Government High School Wahandu polling station, as a result of which one PML-N worker was injured.
Naseerabad: Clash between supporters of the People's Party and independent candidate
A fight broke out between the supporters of the People's Party and the independent candidate at the polling station Jagan Khan Imrani in Naseerabad Constituency PB13. During the fight, 3 people were injured in the firing.
Lakki Marwat clash
A clash has taken place at Miroli polling station of NA 41 Shah Hasan Khel in Lakki Marwat Constituency, the fight took place between the workers of two political parties.
Police say that two people were injured in the firing and have been shifted to the hospital. Polling was stopped due to the clash.
Sadiqabad
Five people were injured due to a stick during the dispute
A fight broke out between two political parties at the polling station of Sadiqabad Chak No. 171. During the fight, 5 people were injured due to sticks.
Punjab Election Commissioner gave an explanation and said that the polling process is going on without interruption at the polling station of Sadiqabad Chak No. 171. In Sadiqabad, a dispute among the workers took place outside the polling station. Stayed.
Multan fight amid polling process
A fight broke out between the supporters of independent and political party at the polling station of Karim Town in Multan constituency NA- 149, the workers slapped and punched each other.
The fight broke out over a dispute over the cutting of vote slips, workers shouted slogans against each other and the police were called.
Must More:
Where did political figures vote? All You Need To Know
ECP Central Control Room goes 'non-operational' amid mobile and internet suspension
Pakistani cricketers encourage voting ahead of General Elections 2024
Elections 2024 in numbers, charts and statistics
Political bigwigs are casting their votes across the country and so far Shehbaz Sharif cast his vote in Model Town while PPP Assefa Bhutto Zardari cast her vote in Larkana while Murad Ali Shah cast his vote in Sehwan. PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif cast his vote in Model Town.
RO officer arrested
Tariq Aziz Bhatti candidate of NA-52 arrested along with two accomplices for allegedly stealing from polling staff.
Polling staff reached Gujar Khan after completing their work from the RO office when candidate Tariq Aziz Bhatti stopped the vehicle with colleagues outside the police RO office and allegedly snatched the laptop and documents.
Police claimed that the documents and laptop were recovered and Tariq Aziz Bhatti was caught on the spot along with his colleagues Raza Ali and Arslan while legal action was taken on the incident.
The police officials insisted that peaceful conduct of the election is their first responsibility and violation of the law would not be tolerated.
First-time voters are energetic
Two young voters exercised their right to vote for the first time in Rawalpindi's Constituency NA-56. Talking to SAMAA TV they said both also encouraged other youth voters to exercise their democratic duty.
