Millions of Pakistanis began voting on Thursday (Feb 8) in an election marred by allegations of poll rigging, with the country’s most popular politician in jail and a military-favoured candidate tipped to win.
Authorities said they were suspending mobile telephone services across the country during voting “to maintain law and order” following a bloody election campaign – including two blasts on Wednesday that killed 28 people.
Pollsters have predicted a low turnout from the country’s 128 million eligible voters following a lacklustre election campaign overshadowed by the jailing of former prime minister Imran Khan, and the hobbling of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party by the military-led establishment.
