Pakistan Roundup: Extension of polling time, suspension of mobile phone services, election city
Extension of polling time
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called on the Election Commission of Pakistan to extend the polling time by an hour, citing hurdles like internet shutdowns and mobile phone service suspensions. PTI's chief organizer Umar Ayub urged party polling agents to request the extension formally. The party said it had received complaints about the slow voting process, reports local media The Nation. The ECP has however refused to extend the polling time. The voting started at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm on February 8.
Suspension of mobile phone services
The government of Pakistan suspended mobile phone services nationwide on February 8 amid the ongoing general elections to ensure law and order. The Interior Ministry spokesperson said previous lives have been lost citing recent militant attacks and hence the need for security measures and to deal with potential threats, local media The News reported. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan would not instruct the interior ministry to resume services, emphasizing that the ECP's system does not depend on the Internet.
Pakistan-Germany partnership
On February 7, Pakistan and Germany signed assistance agreements worth Euro 45 million on Technical Development Cooperation for initiating new bilateral cooperation projects. Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary for Economic Affairs Pakistan, and Alfred Grannas, German Ambassador to Pakistan, witnessed the signing ceremony, local media Tribune reported. These agreements are a result of the continuation of a longstanding and trustful partnership between the two nations. The newly commissioned projects focus on various areas including climate and energy, sustainable economic development, training, and employment, as well as health, social protection, and population policy, aligning with German development cooperation thematic areas.
Election city
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has set up an Election City within its premises, equipped with advanced technology to rapidly distribute the election results of 855 constituencies to the media. Muhammad Khizer Aziz, Director of Information Technology, stated that a comprehensive strategy is in place to receive election results via WhatsApp, email, and fax. Additionally, an alternative website has been set up to ensure continuous dissemination of results in case of disruptions. The Election Management System (EMS) will operate even without internet connectivity, with satellite communication deployed in areas facing connectivity issues, local media Pakistan Today reports.
Border closure between Afghanistan and Iran
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announced that border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran would be closed for cargo and pedestrians on February 8 due to security concerns for Pakistan's general election. Operations are expected to resume on February 9, local media The News reports. Responding to remarks from the United Nations regarding the elections, Baloch stated that Pakistan has finalized security plans per its electoral laws. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about violent incidents preceding the elections and urged authorities to uphold fundamental freedoms for an inclusive democratic process.
