Pakistan Elections: Controversial Election Ends Amidst Mobile Shutdown and Security Concerns
The recent elections in Pakistan have come to a close amidst controversy, as mobile calls and data were suspended by the authorities during the voting process. The interior ministry justified this measure by citing incidents of terrorism that made it necessary to ensure security. This election comes nearly two years after the previous prime minister, Imran Khan, was ousted in a no-confidence vote. Nawaz Sharif, a three-time prime minister, was on the ballot, but many analysts argue that this election is one of Pakistan’s least credible.
Imran Khan, who was jailed on corruption charges last year, is barred from standing in this election. His party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), called the internet shutdown a “cowardly act.” The suspension of mobile services made it more difficult for voters to find their polling stations. Both calls and data services were suspended just 10 minutes before voting started, although wifi networks still appeared to be working. Many voters in Lahore expressed their frustration with the internet blackout, as it prevented them from booking taxis to go and vote or coordinating with family members.
The decision to suspend mobile services was justified by an Interior Ministry spokesman who stated that “security measures are essential to maintain law and order situation and to deal with potential threats” following recent incidents of terrorism in the country. Despite Pakistan’s history of militant attacks, there were only isolated incidents of violence on voting day. However, two separate bomb attacks on candidates’ offices in Balochistan resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people.
The shutdown of mobile services was criticized by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and son of murdered ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He called for services to be restored immediately. The country remains on high alert, with a heavy security presence at polling stations across the country. Border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran have also been closed to ensure full security during polling.
Nawaz Sharif, accompanied by his daughter Maryam, voted in Lahore and expressed confidence in the fairness of the election. He stated that they were “absolutely fair” and spoke about the need for change in Pakistan. Sharif highlighted the “lack of civility, the arrogance, and this culture of disrupting and destroying the country,” seemingly referring to Imran Khan’s leadership. He emphasized that if his party wins, people’s lives will become easier and inflation will decrease.
However, reports have emerged of irregularities during the voting process. Female polling agents in Multan claimed they were not allowed to enter polling booths, preventing them from observing the process. In Lahore, voters faced long queues and delays, with some waiting for more than two hours to cast their votes.
The elections took place against a backdrop of rising violence and economic struggles in Pakistan. The country has experienced a surge in violent incidents over the past three years, with the highest recorded fatalities since 2017. Additionally, millions of people have been affected by economic woes, exacerbated by devastating floods in 2022. Inflation is soaring, making it difficult for people to pay their bills.
The Election Commission of Pakistan categorized half of the polling stations as either “sensitive” or “most sensitive” due to the risk of violence. These classifications are based on the region’s security situation and history of electoral violence.
As the counting of votes begins, it remains uncertain which party will secure a majority in parliament. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) and the PPP are considered the two major parties in contention. However, the PTI’s candidates faced challenges after being banned from using their cricket bat symbol. This forced PTI-backed candidates to run as independents using alternative symbols.
Despite the controversies and challenges surrounding these elections, it is crucial for Pakistan to establish a stable government that can address the country’s pressing issues. The outcome of this election will shape the future of Pakistan and its ability to overcome economic struggles and security concerns.