Polls have closed in Pakistan after the authorities suspended mobile calls and data while millions voted for a new government in a controversial election. The interior ministry said incidents of terrorism made the measure necessary. The election comes almost two years after the previous prime minister, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Three-time PM Nawaz Sharif was on the ballot in what many analysts say is Pakistan’s least credible election yet.
Khan, jailed on corruption charges last year, is barred from standing and his party called the internet cut a “cowardly act”.
It is unclear how soon results will be announced but they must be released within two weeks of election day. Polling experts were already forecasting a low turnout, which it’s thought would hamper the PTI’s chances. The suspension of mobile services made it harder for voters to find their polling stations.
Both calls and data services were suspended just 10 minutes before voting started, although wifi networks still appeared to be working. The country is on high alert, with a heavy security presence at polling stations across the country.
Credit: bbc.com
