Pakistan Votes in Landmark Elections

Local Editor

In a landmark national and provincial elections, Pakistan voted its first transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history.

However, sporadic violence linked to the election claimed a number of lives. In the worst attack, 11 people were killed in a bombing on a political office in Karachi.

In the run-up to the election, more than 100 people died.
Tens of thousands of troops deployed at polling stations after the Pakistani Taliban threatened to carry out suicide attacks.

Hours before polls opened, Pakistan sealed its borders with Afghanistan in a bid to keep foreign militants at bay.
Officials said the borders would remain closed for the next three days.
By midday, 30% of registered voters had turned out, election officials estimated, describing the figure as "very encouraging". An election commission spokesman said they hoped for a figure of 60-80% by the end of the day.

The Taliban on Friday warned voters to boycott polling stations in order to avoid attacks on the offices of political parties.
The militants have been blamed for numerous attacks throughout the campaign on Pakistan's three most prominent liberal parties.

Militants have so far avoided targeting the campaigns of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Nawaz Sharif and the Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party of Imran Khan.
Sharif, who was deposed as prime minister in a military coup 14 years ago, is seen as favorite to return for a third term of office.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Friday expressed "acute concern" about the manner in which the violence has "impaired the fairness of the elections almost beyond repair".

Source: News agencies, Edited by moqawama.org