The most awaited and important general elections of the country came to an end with polling stations closing at 6pm. The polling which was started at 8:00 am remained continue without any break. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had made thorough arrangements to hold free, fair and transparent elections. The most distinctive character of this election was its unpredictability, the speculation that it can’t be conducted or may be delayed however, elections smoothly conducted on scheduled date and Pakistan is moving toward its third straight civilian government.
The election campaign was disturbed by violence with three candidates killed in targeted attacks while during polling total nine attacks were reported that killed approximately 40 people and injured more than 60 people. The last attack, which was reported, was carried out on a polling station in Buleda, a border town with Iran, and killed three security officers, including a teacher who was part of election staff. However, undeterred and brave Pakistan’s around 106 million registered voters stepped out to cast their votes, including women in areas where they previously stood disenfranchised due to various issues. It is a clear indication that democracy won and terrorism was discouraged and defeated.
While talking about the prominent personalities who cast their vote, the Interim Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk travelled to Swat to cast his vote for NA-3 (Swat III) while President Mamnoon Hussain voted in Karachi’s NA-247 constituency. And Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif was among the first few politicians who cast their votes in the morning, followed by his arch-rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, who cast his vote in Islamabad for NA-53. Meanwhile COAS, Qamar Javed Bajwa voted at Rawalpindi.
Election Commission of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies must be lauded for playing a vital role in maintaining smooth functions of voting and maintaining law and order situation. People of Pakistan have exercised their right to vote to elect a new civilian government. Democracy is the best way forward and we all must work hard for our motherland. Our country is facing massive challenges which need an immediate and result oriented strategy to handle the challenges. We hope that the next government will successfully complete its tenure of five years and democracy will prevail. We wish good luck to new civilian government.
Pakistan is moving toward its third straight civilian government.