ISLAMABAD: As the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday (today), election campaigns across Pakistan are set to end, marking the final push for candidates vying for seats in both the national and provincial assemblies.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reiterated the importance of adhering to campaign regulations, warning of legal consequences for candidates found engaging in political activities beyond the deadline.
In the lead-up to voting day, candidates have been actively canvassing door-to-door, rallying supporters, and organizing logistics for the crucial day of voting. With the distribution of 260 million ballot papers and election materials now finalized, the stage is set for voters to make their voices heard.
In a last-minute bid to sway undecided voters, candidates from major political parties have scheduled final rallies and events on Tuesday evening. Leaders such as Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Asif Ali Zardari, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman are set to address gatherings in cities across the nation.
Amidst political competition, debates, and speeches, the Election Commission has established a control room to receive complaints via WhatsApp. Additionally, the Election Management System (EMS) has been hailed as an improvement over previous systems, operating seamlessly both online and offline to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
With Punjab boasting the highest number of registered voters at 73,207,896, followed by Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Balochistan, and Islamabad, the nation anticipates a significant turnout on voting day.
Participating parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), alongside various regional and religious parties, are gearing up for the final showdown at the polls.
ECP Finalizes Arrangements for General Elections 2024
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalized preparations for the upcoming general elections, with plans to announce unofficial results for all 859 constituencies of the National and Provincial Assemblies on February 9.
This extensive logistical effort includes printing a staggering 260 million ballot papers, ensuring that each ballot is distinguishable by its color – green for the National Assembly and white for the Provincial Assembly.
Despite encountering challenges such as the need to reprint certain ballots as directed by the Supreme Court, the printing process was successfully completed by February 3.
This feat is particularly remarkable given the significant increase in the number of candidates compared to previous elections, necessitating effective management to meet demand while also ensuring the integrity of the process.
