High-Stakes Election Day In Pakistan Amidst Security Concerns And Political Tensions

Amidst escalating militant attacks, economic crisis and allegations of electoral misconduct, Pakistan will witness its parliamentary elections on Thursday. Divided by deep political tensions, the possibility of coalition government looms over as around 128 million Pakistanis who are eligible to vote head to cast their votes.

Around 18,000 candidates are standing for elections – 5,121 for federal legislature and 12,695 for provincial assemblies. Polls will be open from 8 am till 5 pm.

Ministry of Interior has announced the suspension of internet services across the country, citing security issues and potential disturbances on election day. Following two blasts in separate locations in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday, killing 30 people and injuring more than 40, over 650,000 security forces have been deployed across Pakistan.

Three prominent faces in the elections include military chief Asim Munir, Nawaz Shariff, and the youngest candidate, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of slain former PM Benazir Bhutto.

Nawaz Sharif”s party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is expected to emerge as the single largest party followed by Bilawal Bhutto”s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and others. Surveys conducted so far project PML-N as the frontrunner with the possibility of seeking a historic fourth term as leader. After being sentenced to prison on corruption charges followed by years of self-exile overseas, today”s elections could mark Shariff”s political comeback.

The 35-year-old Bilawal Bhutto, former foreign minister of Pakistan, has been running one of the most prominent campaigns, focusing on the huge youth population and addressing the grave effects of climate change, which have wreaked havoc in his southern Sindh province. PPP is expected to be a key player, although it is not expected to win outright.

Following a major crackdown on the biggest opposition party – the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) – and its leader, former PM Imran Khan, Pakistani citizens have expressed concerns about the integrity and fairness of votes.

Counting of voting will begin shortly after voting is closed, followed by preliminary results which will be expected to be announced soon after.

The incoming government will be confronting serious challenges including internal unrest, a debilitating economic crisis, illegal migration and increasing inflation. As the citizens seek for stability and normalization after months of chaos, the future of Pakistan hangs in the balance.