The legislative and provincial elections in Pakistan were marred by violence and irregularities, with thousands of polling stations classified as sensitive due to security concerns. The day saw a series of explosions in the Balochistan province, resulting in casualties among law enforcement personnel.
The atmosphere was tense, accompanied by a sense of frustration as incidents of violence unfolded throughout the day. An attack occurred in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghanistan border, targeting a security convoy.
Furthermore, bombings and shootings occurred in various parts of Balochistan, particularly near polling stations. Reports of irregularities also surfaced, such as in Islamabad, where a women’s polling station remained closed due to missing voter lists.
Compounding the challenges was the suspension of mobile phone networks for security reasons, making it difficult for voters to access information. This decision by the Ministry of Interior raised practical concerns, including how voters could locate their polling stations and arrange transportation without mobile communication. Additionally, it hindered election observers’ ability to report irregularities to political parties or the electoral commission.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) criticized the internet shutdown, labeling it as a threat to democracy and a frustrating betrayal by telecommunications authorities.
The suspension of mobile services raised suspicions of result manipulation, particularly as 70% of the population lacks confidence in the integrity of elections, according to recent polls. Concerns were voiced regarding the impact on result collection and transmission, potentially compromising the credibility of the outcome.
As the country awaits official results on February 9th, uncertainties loom over the electoral process, prompting widespread scrutiny and calls for transparency to uphold democratic principles.