Pakistan Elections 2024: What you need to know - Voters, main candidates, election symbols, & more
Policemen stand guard outside a polling station
Pakistanis are casting their ballot on Thursday (Feb 8) in the general elections 2024. The results of the polls will shape the country's political future for years to come. This time, former prime minister Imran Khan, a prominent figure in Pakistani politics, is behind bars and is unable to contest due to legal constraints stemming from various judicial proceedings.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif, a seasoned politician and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has made a dramatic return from the UK. The reappearance of the former prime minister on the political scene has added an element of anticipation to the electoral process and its outcome.
As WION provides you with complete coverage of Pakistan General Elections 2024, here's all you need to know in terms of the country's voters, demographics, security measures imposed ahead of the elections, key political contenders, and election symbols.
Votersand demographics
Polling began at 8:00 AM local time and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00 PM. Around 128 million people are registered to cast their votes, with nearly half of them under the age of 35.
Voters will choose from over 5,000 candidates, with only 313 being women. There are 90,675 polling stations set up across the country.
Mobile internet service ban, security measures
Out of the total polling stations, over half have been labeled as sensitive. The Chief Election Commissioner has directed provincial police heads to ensure the safety of voters.
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Mobile internet services have been suspended to maintain security during the voting process. WiFi internet appears to be working.
Strict rules are being implemented in Pakistan, including limitations on discussing candidates and campaigning until voting concludes.
The outcome of the elections will be known from Thursday night, but the official announcement for all results and government formationmight take weeks
Key contenders
Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), known as the "Lion of Punjab" and Bilawal Bhutto, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), are among important candidates.
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), despite his absence due to legal issues, remains a key player as well.
Election symbols
PTI candidates are facing challenges due to a ban on their traditional cricket bat symbol. Some candidates have been assigned unconventional symbols, such as an empty vessel, or a bed. These unfamiliar symbols have complicated their campaigns.
Nawaz Sharif's PML-N, has a party symbol of a tiger, while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan People's Party has it traditional symbol, the arrow.
(With inputs from agencies)