ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s military men spread out across the country ahead of country’s General Elections, with hundreds of thousands of them to oversee polling stations in a nail-biting contest.
The election officials in the capital Islamabad distributed ballot boxes and voting materials for polling stations across the city on Tuesday, under the eye of troops.
The armed forces have stationed over 370,000 personnel nationwide to ensure the vote goes smoothly; the figure is the largest in Pakistan’s history on an election day.
The media department of military confirmed the deployment of troops across the country on Monday, saying the troops would work with local law enforcement to ensure “a safe and secure environment” for voting.
The cut-throat contest is being viewed as a three-party fight between jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, cricketing legend Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the one led by ambitious Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Political parties concluded their final rallies Monday night in a last-ditch attempt to bag the support of constituents who would choose their next leader in less than 24 hours.
“I am giving this task to all of you to wake up early on the 25th and cast your vote,” Imran Khan told thousands of party loyalists in Lahore in his final address.
On the other hand, PML-N president and brother of the former premier, Shehbaz Sharif said victory was “certain”. He also announced to rebel against the system, currently in place.
Moreover, the 29-year-old Bilawal also asked the public to reject the political puppets and vote him into power in much the same way, the public voted Bhutto.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the polling would start at 8 am and would last till 6 pm, without any formal break.
