Polling is underway for by-elections on numerous National Assembly and provincial assembly seats; amidst heightened security, specific Punjab and Balochistan districts have suspended cellular and internet services to maintain order.
Voting began at 8 AM and will conclude at 5 PM without breaks. The by-elections are the first significant ones since the general elections on February 8.
The federal government had announced just a day before that cellular services would be temporarily suspended in certain districts during the by-elections on April 21-22.
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), this measure aims to protect the integrity and security of the electoral process.
Read: Election Staff Boycotts Duties in Bajaur After Assault by Secret Agency Agents
At the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) request, the federal government has approved the deployment of Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) troops to oversee the polling process. These forces are being used as second and third tiers of security and will remain deployed until April 22 in 21 constituencies.
On a grimmer note, a clash in Narowal’s PP-54 led to the death of a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) worker, Muhammad Yousuf, further straining tensions between parties. This incident halted polling in the constituency.
As the polling proceeded, further altercations occurred in Lahore and Sheikhupura, with police intervening to manage disputes and minor violence between party workers.
The by-elections are being held in five National Assembly seats and numerous provincial assembly seats across Pakistan. These elections have seen heavy competition, with multiple parties and independent candidates vying for seats vacated for various reasons, including resignations and prior election cancellations.
A tough contest is expected in Kasur’s NA-132, vacated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. In Lahore, several assembly seats are being contested vigorously, reflecting the high stakes in these elections.
