Pakistan has temporarily suspended mobile services as millions head to the polls to vote in a new government. An interior ministry spokesman said the measure was warranted, citing recent incidents of terror in the country.
The election comes almost two years since the previous prime minister, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Three-time PM Nawaz Sharif is now on the ballot in what many analysts say is Pakistan’s least credible election yet. Both calls and data services have been suspended, though Wifi networks still appear to be working. “As a result of the recent incidents of terrorism in the country, precious lives have been lost. Security measures are essential to maintain law and order situation and to deal with potential threats,” the Interior Ministry spokesman said.
Two bomb blasts killed 28 people in the restive Balochistan province on Wednesday. Strict rules around election coverage – including what can be said about candidates, campaigning and opinion polls – remain in place until the end of voting at 1700 local time (1200 GMT).
Its unclear how soon results will be announced but they must be released within two weeks of voting. Who is really pulling the strings in a divided Pakistan? A jailed star and former convict: Pakistan’s election, explained As many as 128 million people are registered to cast their votes, with almost half under the age of 35.
BBC
