Pak Elections 2024 LIVE: Chief Election Commissioner says elections held in 'transparent and peaceful' manner

Imran Khan's party PTI has claimed that election results across the country are being delayed after its candidate emerged victorious.

PTI's Omary Ayub alleged in a video message on social media platform X, "There are reports of closure of the screens in the offices of returning officers in several circles." 

As per a report by DAWN.com...

NA-10: Barrister Gohar Ali Khan leads with 3507 votes, while Abdul Rauf trails behind with 1912 votes.

NA-130: Yasmeen Rashid is ahead with 3029 votes, followed closely by Nawaz Sharif with 2757 votes.

NA-151: Mehr Bano Qureshi is in the lead with 10,729 votes, while Abdul Ghaffar has 7813 votes.

NA-71: Khawaja Asif is currently leading with 6979 votes, with Rehana Imtiaz Dar trailing behind with 5452 votes.

NA-119: Maryam Nawaz is in lead with 736 votes, followed by Shehzad Farooq with 308 votes.

Internet and mobile now being restored across Pakistan, the Ministry of Interior confirmed. 

Nawaz Sharif expressed confidence his party would win the vote which has been marred by violence, deep political tensions and the imprisonment of a popular contender.

Sharif's archrival, former Prime Minister Imran Khan is behind bars and banned from running after a series of convictions, including some just days before the election.

Sikandar Sultan Raja, who is Chief Election Commissioner, said that the elections were held in a "100 per cent transparent and peaceful" manner.

"The polling process continued without any interruption. No citizen was prevented from voting," Raja was said as quoted by state-run PTV reports. 

Haroon Shinwari, who is ECP spokesperson, said that the results of the elections would be announced on time, adding that internet outages would not affect the electoral watchdog’s system. 

Local media reports said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party is leading over independents on most Punjab seat. 

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar congratulated the nation for the “successful conduct” of the general elections. 

In a post on X, he said the high voter turnout today was a clear indication of the public commitment to shaping the future of the country. 

"The voices, expressed through the votes, will contribute to the fortification of our democracy, and for that, people of Pakistan deserve every bit of appreciation," he wrote. 

The election officials have begun counting of votes. The ECP has already said that 'unconfirmed' reports will start to trickle-in post 6 PM followed by the final results.

Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf took to X and thanked all voters as the polling concluded.

"Thank you to all those brave Pakistanis who came out to vote today, despite all the challenges. InshAllah victory will be our and all plans of rigging will be defeated!" it said in its post.

Former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari case their vote.

The moment when the former president Asif Ali Zardari cast his vote.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

Polling has been suspended at Badin's NA-223, PS-71 polling station due to shortage of ballot papers, said ARY News

The ECP has taken to X to declare that polling time for the national election will not be extended. The voting will end at 5 pm and unofficial and unconfirmed results may be aired by 6 pm.

A blast outside a polling station in northwestern Pakistan has killed two security officers and wounded nine.

"There was a blast in Lajja town in which two of our men got martyred and nine others got injured," said an paramilitary official as quoted by AFP.

Pakistani news outlet Dawn has quoted chair of Commonwealth observer group who the report says was "quite pleased" with the elections

“We have seen that the government is working to ensure that elections are credible,” said Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as quoted by Dawn.

Five policemen have been killed in Dera Ismail Khan. The explosion reportedly occurred near a police van. 

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to issue a warning to Geo News and ARY News for continuously violating the code of conduct. The channels allegedly broadcasted the speeches of political leaders live. 

PPP wrote on X: "Rigging was going on at Polling Station No. 35, Dar Arqam School Z5, when PPP's nominated candidate for the National Assembly, Abdul Bar, reached the spot and caught five private presiding officers red-handed. Those who did not have the required official documents. The police reached the spot and took the four into custody. ARO West and SP West Anil Haider reached the polling station and took charge of the matters and handed over the four private presiding officers who belonged to a political party to the police."

Imran Khan's party said that its polling agents picked by police in Punjab province. The PTI has alleged that the police removed its polling camps. More information is awaited.

One person was killed in firing outside a guesthouse in Mirpur Khas in Sindh. 

In a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, PPP Central Election Cell Incharge Senator Taj Haider said, "Alarming news coming from NA-212 (Mirpurkhas) that one person died in firing."

He urged CEC Raja to “take action” on the matter as per the law.

Outside a polling station in Islamabad, 22-year-old psychology student Haleema Shafiq says she is determined to vote.

"I believe in democracy. I want a government that can make Pakistan safer for girls," she told AFP.

But another voter expressed the doubts of many.

"My only fear is whether my vote will be counted for the same party I cast it for. At the same time, for the poor it does not matter who is ruling — we need a government that can control inflation," said Syed Tassawar, a 39-year-old construction worker.

"Mobile phone services must be restored immediately across the country have asked my party to approach both ECP and the courts for this purpose.

As Pakistan gears up for elections, candidates like Aamir Mughal wield unusual symbols, like eggplants or "baingan," assigned to them by the Election Commission. Mughal, a contender vying for Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, aligns with imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan's supporters, now standing as independent candidates in the upcoming February national election, have been allocated electoral symbols, with Mughal's being the eggplant. These symbols, while often bizarre, play a crucial role in identifying candidates, especially in regions with low literacy rates.

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Pakistan closed its borders with Iran and Afghanistan on the day of polling.

One security personnel was killed in an attack on a security forces vehicle in Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan on Thursday. Assailants attacked the vehicle which was on election duty, Samaa TV reported citing sources
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The incident took place in the Kot Azam areaon the day when voting for national and state assemblies were underway, Samaa TV reported.
 

"Vote is a national duty, which I have paid by stamping the arrow mark! Let's pay this duty and stamp the sign of the arrow and make Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the Prime Minister of this country with the power of your vote," Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, sister of former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and daughter of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, wrote on X.

Pakistan on Thursday (Feb 8) suspended entire country's mobile phone service on election day, citing the "recent surge in terrorist activities". The move has been widely slammed as "beginning of rigging" of the elections with both Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders coming out to slam the suspension of mobile internet services.

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Pakistan's Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja claimed that foolproof security arrangements have been ensured for safe and sound polling. 

"It is the responsibility of the security agencies and the interior ministry to review the law and order situation," it added.

Hammad Azhar, the Secretary General and Acting President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in  Punjab province slammed the suspension of mobile services across Pakistan on polling day as "shameful".

"The people of Pakistan are robbed of communications and access to information. What does the regime seek to accomplish in this digital darkness? Mobile services and internet must be restored immediately," he added.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) slammed suspension of mobile phone services including the internet, and urged people to remove personal WiFi passwords so that people are able to access the internet. 

"Pakistanis, the illegitimate, fascist regime has blocked cell phone services across Pakistan on polling day," former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party wrote on X.

"You are all requested to counter this cowardly act by removing passwords from your personal WiFi accounts, so anyone in the vicinity can have access to internet on this extremely important day," it urged the people.

While sharing a news piece related to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's pre-poll assurance that there are no orders to block the internet, the PTI said that the "flip-flop on internet services during election day is an infuriating betrayal."

"Shutting down phone service is a deliberate suppression of citizens' rights and a mockery of democracy," it added.

Former Pakistan People's Party senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar described shutting down of mobile services as "beginning of rigging" on the election day.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cast his vote. The leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) appealed the voters to step out of their homes and cast their ballot. 

The police in Pakistani capital of Islamabad said they are on alert in the city. 

"The [police] personnel reached the polling stations across the territory yesterday morning. As long as the polling stations are staffed, security will remain alert." Islamabad Police said.

"Along with 6,500 personnel of Islamabad police, 1,000 FC, 1,500 Rangers and Pakistan Army personnel are performing their duties in the federal capital," it added.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan cast his vote via postal ballot from Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, Pakistani media reported.

Pakistan's interior ministry released a statement on suspension of mobile phone services across the nation. It said: Recent surge in terrorist activities resulting in precious lives have stirred security environment in the country. In the light of deteriorating security situation and to mitigate potential security threats, need has risen to take measures to safeguard against it. Therefore, it has been decided to temporarily suspend the mobile services across the country.

The polling started at 8.00 AM (local time) and will continue without any break till 5.00 PM. As many as 128 million registered voters to cast their votes. 

People will be casting their votes at 90,675 polling stations for a total of 5,121 candidates contesting for the 266 seats of the constituent assembly.

Out of the total 90,675 polling stations, 46,065 have been labelled as sensitive and 18,437 others as highly sensitive, according to Election Commission of Pakistan data. 

CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja has directed general of police (IGPs) of the four provinces and directed them to keep security on high alert to ensure the security of voters

Polling has opened across Pakistan amid disrupted mobile phone services. The voting begins after a low-spirited election campaign marred by violence and elimination of the country's most popular political force, former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Reports in the Pakistani media claim that mobile phone services have been disrupted in several parts of the country, including the country's biggest services such as Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. 

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has informed that the voting across the country is set to begin in almost an hour, which will continue till 5 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PKT). 

Talking to reporters, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said it is "impossible" for him to become part of a government led by either Sharif brother.

With over 120 million registered voters ready to cast their ballot on Feb 8, there are some who won't be allowed to exercise their right. This is a story of a village in Pakistan, holding back it's women voters.

PTI took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on the even of election to address rumors that the party was not contesting in the polls.  

"Petrified of the massive turnout tomorrow for General Elections, the controlled media is being used to run a fake news about PTI boycotting elections, along with running a fake audio!" said PTI.

Pakistan will choose a new government after the highly-anticipated general elections on Thursday (Feb 8). Here's all you need to know about the Pakistan general elections:

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Experts are of the view that there may not be a clear winner yet but Pakistan's powerful generals could play a role. Pakistan's military has dominated the nuclear-armed country either directly or indirectly in its 76 years of independence. 

Although the elections appear highly rigged in favour of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and its three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the last national election, will remain in the fray as main contenders. 

Pakistan's National Assembly has a total of 336 seats. Out of these, only 266 candidates are elected. The rest 70 are reserved, of which 60 are for women while 10 are for non-Muslims. These reserved seats are allocated as per the strength of each political party in the Assembly. 

The winning candidates become members of the National Assembly. However, independent candidates can join any party after the voting process. 

As many as 28 people were killed while more than 40 suffered injuries in the back-to-back blasts that hit Balochistan’s Pishin and Qila Saifullah on Wednesday (Feb 7).