Pakistanis begin voting in landmark general elections

Pakistanis Saturday started voting in the general elections to elect new National and 4 Provincial Assemblies for the next 5 years

This is the first time that transfer of power to next elected government would take place after completion of tenure of one democratically elected government.

The polling began 08:00 in the morning and will continue uninterrupted up to 05:00 p.m. However‚ those in the premises of the polling stations at the deadline would be allowed to cast their votes.

Production of National Identity Card is a must for issuance of ballot paper to the voters and expired cards are also valid for the purpose.

Green Ballot papers are meant for national assembly while white will be for the provincial assemblies’ seats.

There are over 86.1 million registered voters in the country including over 48.6 million male and 37.5 million female voters.

In all 4‚659 candidates are in the arena to contest 272 general seats of the National Assembly and more than 10‚900 for general seats of provincial assemblies.

In all 69‚ 729 polling stations have been set up with 193‚235 polling booths throughout the country to facilitate voters.

Out of 272 general seats of the national assembly elections are to take place in 269 constituencies as electoral process in four National Assembly seats was terminated due to death of candidates and poor law and order.

A total 296 general seats of the Punjab Assembly are up for contest as electoral process in PP-217 Khanewal-VI was terminated due to death of a candidate.

There are 99 general seats of the provincial assembly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where elections would be held.

In Sindh elections are being held on 129 general seats as electoral process stands terminated for PS-64 Mirpur Khas-I due to death of a candidate.

For Balochistan Assembly elections would be held for 50 general seats as electoral process was terminated in PB-32 Jhal Magsi due to death of a candidate.

The Election Commission in collaboration with federal and provincial governments‚ Pakistan army and law enforcement agencies has made elaborate arrangements to conduct polls in a smooth and peaceful atmosphere.

The parties that have ruled Pakistan for five years are facing a significant challenge from arch political rivals.

This is for first time in Pakistan’s 65-year history that transfer of power to next elected government would take place after completion of tenure of one democratically elected government.

Election on special seats for women and minorities will be determined later on the basis of seats the parties will get in general elections.

Security will remain a biggest challenge for the elections in view of Taliban A military spokesman says more than 75‚000 troops have already been deployed across the country to assist the civil administration for general election.

Nearly 100 people, including three candidates, have been killed and 300 others were injured in bomb attacks and firing during the 20-day campaign.

Taliban claimed responsibility for most of these attacks and had warned more attacks on the Election Day.

Information Minister, Arif Nizami, says that the Taliban threats could affect the votes turn-out. However, political analysts believe that the youths’ participation in the election campaign is likely to give a boost to the turn-out.

Chief Election Commissioner‚ Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim has called upon the people to exercise their right of franchise without any fear in elections.

Several dozen political and religious parties are taking part in the elections, however, the major contest will take place among the three major parties – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of President Asif Ali Zaradri, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) led by former Prime Minister, Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) or Justice Movement of cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on May 11 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.