Imran Khan’s allies and PML-N in close contest in Pakistan elections: Election results delayed amid rigging allegations

Halima Shafiq, a 22-year-old psychology student who became a first-time voter, said she believes in the importance of voting.

“I believe in democracy. I want a government that can make Pakistan safe for girls,” she told AFP in Islamabad.

Syed Tassawar, a 39-year-old construction worker, said: “My only fear is whether my vote will be counted for the same party for which I cast it.”

More than 650,000 army, paramilitary and police personnel were deployed to provide security on Thursday.

The army said there were a total of 51 attacks across the country, killing a dozen people, including 10 security force members – fewer than in 2018, when dozens were killed.

The tone of Thursday’s election was similar to that voting, but the tables were turned.

Then, it was Sharif who was disqualified from contesting elections due to his conviction for corruption, while Khan came to power with the support of the army as well as de facto support.

Bilal Gilani, executive director of polling group Gallup Pakistan, said the history of Pakistan’s elections is replete with allegations of rigging as well as bias.

“This is a managed democracy run by the military,” he said.

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