Vote counting is currently underway for the Pakistan general election, following the closure of polls on Thursday.
The election saw challenges including a crackdown on jailed ex-prime minister, Imran Khan’s party, sporadic violence, and connectivity issues due to government suspension of mobile and internet services.
Polling took place from 8 AM to 5 PM on Thursday, with a nationwide public holiday declared to facilitate over 120 million voters.
Although the exact polling percentage is yet to be determined, results from individual polling stations are beginning to come in throughout the nation.
However, it may take a few hours before complete constituency results are available.
A total of 266 National Assembly seats were contested out of 336, with polling postponed on at least one seat, following a candidate’s death in a gun attack in Bajaur.
Additionally, there are 60 reserved seats for women and 10 for minorities, allocated to winning parties through proportional representation.
To form the next government, a party must secure 133 out of the 265 contested seats.