Live: Elections 2024

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the suspension of internet and cellular services across Pakistan.

“Cutting off mobile communication services on an election day and preventing journalists from reporting from polling stations severely undermines citizens’ rights to stay informed,” said CPJ’s Asia Program Coordinator Beh Lih Yi.

“These heavy-handed measures raise serious questions about Pakistan’s commitment to democracy and human rights. A free and fair election requires independent media reporting and unhampered access to information.”

PTI has said today’s voter turnout in “unprecedented numbers” is a victory for the nation.

“Even though the illegitimate, fascist regime tried every low tactic to scare & dissuade people from voting, the people of Pakistan came out today in unprecedented numbers to vehemently reject the system of oppression, lawlessness & fraud!” PTI said in a post on X.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said internet outages will not impact the compilation of election results, affirming that the electoral watchdog has an “exclusive and independent networking system”.

“I want to clarify that our operations are not reliant on the internet,” he said in an interview.

The CEC further stated that he was content with the execution of elections, saying that the electoral process was “seamless and flawless”.

“The electoral process started on time, and we remain satisfied with the ongoing proceedings. Despite minor issues, our teams swiftly resolved grievances in a short time,” Raja said.

He added that the ECP’s complaint and election management systems were functioning seamlessly and providing information to everyone.

The Interior Ministry has said mobile phone services have been partially restored in parts of the country.

Earlier in the day, the ministry said mobile phone and internet services were suspended across Pakistan owing to security threats.

In a post on X a little after 8pm, it said cellular services have been restored in Bhakkar, Sargodha, Taxila, Gujar Khan Chakri, Loralai, Sibi, Jhal Magsi and all of Sindh except Malir and Karachi.

In another post, the ministry said mobile phone services would soon be restored nationwide.

PTI’s Hammad Azhar has questioned the failure in restoring phone networks. “Which security situation is in danger now?” he asked in a social media post.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal has refuted the allegations that he is involved in the arrest of Daniyal Aziz.

Earlier in the day, Aziz’s wife claimed her husband was badly tortured and picked up by the police. She had named Ahsan Iqbal as the culprit.

In a post on X, Iqbal said Aziz’s supporters carried out violence at various polling stations prompting the police to intervene.

It must be noted that Aziz had earlier accused Iqbal of all the ills being faced by the country. Aziz was subsequently issued a show-cause notice by the PML-N.

PPP leader Saeed Ghani has claimed that workers of Irfanullah Marwat snatched four books of ballot papers at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Girls College in Karachi’s PS-105.

He added that the “goons” stopped the counting of votes after taking over the polling station.

Jamaat-i-Islami has demanded that the results of the polls should not be “imposed” on the public. “We are winning, let us win,” the party said.

MQM has claimed that its National Assembly candidate Arshad Vohra was attacked by armed PPP men on “the direction of Bilawal House chief guard Akram Baloch”.

Several MQM workers have also been injured, the party said in a statement.

According to the spokesperson, MQM workers were attacked when they confronted PPP workers who were allegedly involved in rigging at CMS school on Karachi’s Nishtar road.

“The election commission should take notice of the hooliganism and rigging by the PPP,” the spokesperson said.

MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar has refuted reports of an attack on his life and said he is safe inside his election office.

In a video statement shared by journalist Naimat Khan, Sattar said: “These rumours that my car was attacked and I was injured are false. These fake reports are being spread to create panic.”

PTI-backed candidate Rehana Dar claimed the returning officer in her constituency was not letting her enter the polling station.

“I have a clear understanding of his intentions, he wants to facilitate Khawaja Asif in a closed room,” she alleged, warning no tampering of election results will be tolerated.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has congratulated law enforcement agencies and administration for conducting “overall peaceful elections”.

Tessori said he monitored the election process throughout the day while staying in touch with law enforcement agencies and the administration.

“Contrary to rumours, the overall peaceful conduct of elections in the province is the result of everyone’s joint efforts,” Tessori said, adding that people should be congratulated for voting for their candidates.

“I hope the newly elected government will solve the problems of the people and take measures to restore the economy,” he said.

MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari says his colleague Farooq Sattar is safe and fine. The confirmation comes after media reports claimed Sattar was injured in firing.

Former minister Zartaj Gul Wazir has expressed her concerns over what she calls a violent incident at a polling station in Dera Ghazi Khan’s NA-185 constituency.

Wazir claimed that the area’s station house officer, Fayyaz Lashari, forcibly removed her polling agent, seized the voting box, and departed in a private car.

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi has congratulated the nation on the successful completion of the general election.

“Today the nation has witnessed another historic event in our democratic journey,” he said in a message broadcast on PTV.

People across Pakistan participated in the electoral process, demonstrating their commitment to democracy, their national responsibility and their belief in the power of the vote, he said.

“This enthusiastic turnout is not only a testament to the strength of our democracy but also marks a significant milestone in our nation’s history,” he added.

Solangi further extended his gratitude to “all those who played a pivotal role in this democratic exercise”.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said that elections were held in a “100 per cent transparent and peaceful” manner.

“The polling process continued without any interruption,” Raja said, state-run PTV reports.

“No citizen was prevented from voting,” he said, adding that voting was extended at three polling stations in Gujarat upon the request of concerned voters.

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

Pakistan witnessed a countrywide internet and cellular outage during the electoral process. Earlier in the day, the Interior Ministry said services were suspended owing to the security situation.

In a video statement released on X, JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed concern over deteriorating conditions in the city.

He alleged that JI workers were fired upon and injured outside polling stations in NA-232. Rehman claimed that the MQM-P occupied several locations, including Shah Faisal No 2, Malir Khokhrapar, and Nazimabad No 2.

Rehman criticised the presence of Rangers, asserting that their failure to intervene in such incidents was shameful. The JI leader further stated that he tried to contact DG Rangers but his calls went unanswered.

Rehman pledged to protest against such actions, deeming them unacceptable.

Counting of votes is underway after polling ended at 5pm, Radio Pakistan reports.

Voters who were present inside the premises of polling stations before the closing time were allowed to complete the electoral process.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said it has resolved 76 poll-related complaints, which were received throughout the day.

According to the ECP spokesperson, most of the complaints were of a “normal nature” involving confrontations between political workers in different areas which were resolved on the spot.

The PTI has urged supporters not to leave polling stations without collecting the Form 45.

Form 45 is known as the statement of the count, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan. It is supposed to show the number of valid votes for each contesting candidate and ballot papers excluded from the count.

As Pakistan awaits the results of the 2024 general elections, Amnesty International has called the suspension of mobile and internet services throughout the day “a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”.

Several voters across the country faced difficulties throughout the electoral process, which began at 8am and concluded at 5pm.

“It is reckless to impede access to information as people head out to polling stations on the heels of devastating bomb blasts and what has been an intense crackdown on the opposition in the lead up to the elections in the country,” Amnesty International’s South Asia office said in a statement.

“Unwarranted restrictions on dissemination of information, despite reassurances to the contrary from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority and Election Commission of Pakistan, are in breach of people’s human rights at this critical time in Pakistan.”

Shortly after polling concluded across Pakistan, 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 premier further commended the efforts of the security personnel, civil administration and the Election Commission of Pakistan for conducting “free and fair elections across the country”.

“Your resolve in the aftermath of the recent terrorism incidents, continuing to participate in the electoral process, is a powerful statement against the forces that seek to destabilize our nation. It underscores our collective desire for peace, stability, and prosperity.” PM Kakar added.

Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has claimed that MQM workers have fired on JI party workers and injured them in Shah Faisal Colony Number 5 area of the metropolis.

In a post on X, he claimed the MQM also captured the Shah Faisal Colony Number 2 polling station.

“MQM has been defeated by the people and efforts are being made to force mandate,” he said in a post on X.

PPP’s Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari has told people inside polling stations to exercise their right to vote after the deadline.

“Stand firm and ask for your right to vote,” she said.

The deputy commissioner of Quetta has refuted rumours circulating on social media about missing ballot papers in PB-45.

Upon inquiry with the returning officer, it was discovered that the signatures presented as evidence were fake, he said.

The DC emphasised that the voting process proceeded smoothly at polling stations. Additionally, he stated his intention to file a complaint with the FIA against those responsible for spreading the false claims.

Polling marred by rigging allegations and cellular and internet outages has concluded across Pakistan.

The voting process began at 8am and continued till 5pm.

The Election Commission of Pakistan earlier said that exceptions would only be made for people already inside the polling station.

PTI has claimed that efforts are underway to halt voting in Karachi’s Askari 4. It alleged that only two polling officers were present inside the polling station in the NA-236 constituency.

“Other staff have fled,” the party said in a post on X, adding that polling started just a few minutes ago.

“The Election Commission has failed as always!” the PTI added.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reiterated that polling across the country will end at 5pm.

In a statement on X, the electoral watchdog said exceptions would be made for people already inside the polling station.