Tribesmen line up to cast their vote outside a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud, a town of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on July 20, 2019. - Pakistan's tribal areas held their first ever provincial elections on July 20 amid high security, a key step bringing the northwestern region into the political mainstream after years of turmoil fuelled by militancy. (Photo by ABDUL MAJEED / AFP) — AFP or licensors

In pictures: First provincial polls in KP's tribal areas draw large numbers

Polling was held for 16 general seats of the provincial assembly.
Published July 20, 2019

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s merged tribal districts made history as they held general elections for the first time on Saturday.

Polling was held for 16 general seats of the provincial assembly.

The Election Commission of Pakistan had set up 1,897 polling stations across the region, previously called Fata. Of them, 554 had been declared highly sensitive and 461 sensitive.

Polling took place from 8am to 5pm with a fairly large voter participation, including women.

Zabit Khan Afridi, a college student, was among the voters who lined up outside a polling station in Khyber district near the provincial capital, Peshawar.

“I am glad to cast my first ever vote on a historic day for tribal people... I believe the fate of tribal people is changing,” Afridi said.

Voters line up outside a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP
Voters line up outside a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP

Tribesmen seen queued up to cast their vote outside a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP
Tribesmen seen queued up to cast their vote outside a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP

Tribesmen interact with an election official in a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP
Tribesmen interact with an election official in a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP

A security personnel searches tribesmen as they line up outside a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP
A security personnel searches tribesmen as they line up outside a polling station for the first provincial elections in Jamrud. — AFP

Women voters flash their inked thumbs following their ballots being cast. — PTI official Twitter account
Women voters flash their inked thumbs following their ballots being cast. — PTI official Twitter account

People proudly wave the flag as they come out to vote. — PTI official Twitter account
People proudly wave the flag as they come out to vote. — PTI official Twitter account

Men of all ages participating in the voting process. — PTI official Twitter account
Men of all ages participating in the voting process. — PTI official Twitter account

Voters are seen displaying the Pakistani flag as they gather to vote. — PTI official Twitter account
Voters are seen displaying the Pakistani flag as they gather to vote. — PTI official Twitter account

A tribesman casts his vote during an election for provincial seats in Jamrud, a town of Khyber district. — AP
A tribesman casts his vote during an election for provincial seats in Jamrud, a town of Khyber district. — AP

Tribesmen wait their turn to cast their vote at outside a polling station in Jamrud. — AP
Tribesmen wait their turn to cast their vote at outside a polling station in Jamrud. — AP

An elderly voter casts his ballot as others wait their turn at a polling station in Jamrud. — AP
An elderly voter casts his ballot as others wait their turn at a polling station in Jamrud. — AP

An election worker prepares the ballot paper for a tribesman waiting to cast his vote at a polling station in Jamrud. — AP
An election worker prepares the ballot paper for a tribesman waiting to cast his vote at a polling station in Jamrud. — AP

An election worker marks the thumb of voter in a polling station during an election for provincial seats in Jamrud. — AP
An election worker marks the thumb of voter in a polling station during an election for provincial seats in Jamrud. — AP

A paramilitary soldier stands guard while tribal women leave a polling station after voting in Jamrud. — AP
A paramilitary soldier stands guard while tribal women leave a polling station after voting in Jamrud. — AP

Paramilitary soldiers stand guard while another frisks a tribesman arriving to cast his vote at outside a polling station in Jamrud. — AP
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard while another frisks a tribesman arriving to cast his vote at outside a polling station in Jamrud. — AP

An elderly man getting a ballot paper at a polling station for PK-107 during the first Provincial Assembly election in the merged districts in Khyber area. — APP
An elderly man getting a ballot paper at a polling station for PK-107 during the first Provincial Assembly election in the merged districts in Khyber area. — APP

A senior citizen casting his vote in PK-107 during the first Provincial Assembly election in the merged districts in Khyber area. — APP
A senior citizen casting his vote in PK-107 during the first Provincial Assembly election in the merged districts in Khyber area. — APP

A fully clad woman casting her vote in PK-107 during the first Provincial Assembly election in the merged districts in Khyber area. — APP
A fully clad woman casting her vote in PK-107 during the first Provincial Assembly election in the merged districts in Khyber area. — APP