Live: Elections 2024

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.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has admitted that the interim government cannot “guarantee” free and fair elections. He passed these remarks in an interview with Sky News on the eve of general elections.

Additionally, he told Sky News that there is no attempt to “target a specific party or group” amid claims of pre-poll rigging and candidate harassment.

The JI claims polling stations in Karachi’s NA-236 constituency are overcrowded and over 200 people are standing outside the office.

The post stated that men were unable to go inside and the women who did go inside complained that polling booths for men and women had been set up in the same room and the book of voter lists is missing.

PTI, in a post on their X account, has alleged that PML-N workers are bullying voters in Punjab’s Khushab district.

“PML-N bullying continues even in Khushab, the journey from ‘respect the vote’ to ‘stealing votes by harassing voters’ continues rapidly!” PTI said in a post on their X account.

Caretaker Federal Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz visited various polling stations along with ICCPO Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, Islamabad Police shared on social media.

The officials met the citizens exercising their right to vote and claimed that “people appreciated the security arrangements made by the Islamabad Police”.

The PTI has demanded an extension in the polling deadline, which ends at 5pm.

In a statement on X, the party’s chief organiser Omar Ayub said a large number of voters came out today despite multiple hurdles. “There have been a lot of complaints from the election staff about the delays in the polling process,” he stated.

He added that the PTI would submit a formal application for the extension in the deadline.

Caretaker Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai has said the electoral process in the province is running smoothly until now and hoped that the same would continue until evening.

“The condition is peaceful in the province and people are coming out to cast their vote,” he said, adding that “terrorists have lost”

“Like other provinces, Balochistan will deliver results after 5pm,” the minister said.

The Election Commission of Pakistan said it received 55 poll-related complaints of which 45 had been resolved while work was underway on the remaining ones.

In a statement, ECP spokesperson Haroon Shinwari said the complaints were regarding clashes, which were solved on the spot.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said that “the majority of the voters received polling information by messaging 8300”, stating that the electoral watchdog was receiving on average 1.5 to 2 million messages each day.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that the messaging service had been functional since January 29.

He further said that voter registration details were present with the provincial election commissioners as well.

Fixit founder Alamgir Khan says voting has begin at the Askari 4 polling station in Karachi’s NA-236.

Earlier, several reports of a delay in the polling process had emerged.

Chair of the Commonwealth observer group, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has said he is “quite pleased” with security arrangements across Islamabad.

“We have seen that the government is working to ensure that elections are credible,” he said while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz.

“We encourage people to come out and vote because that is the only way you can consolidate democracy in the country,” he added.

Jonathan said a comprehensive assessment of election related security arrangements will be shared on Sunday.