Pak gears up to vote today amid tight security
Over 370,000 troops have been deployed across Pakistan for Wednesday’s general election, the largest military deployment on a polling day in the nation’s history, at the end of a campaign marred by a string of terror attacks.
The countrywide election campaign, marred by a string of terrorist attacks, came to an end at midnight on Monday night, as political parties culminated their poll campaigns.
The Pakistan Army has said it would deploy 371,388 troops at 85,000 polling stations for the July 25 election. This would be the largest deployment for any election in the country’s history.
Armed soldiers stood guard as election officials in the capital distributed ballot boxes and voting material at polling stations across the city. “Deployment of troops completed across the country,” the military said in a statement, adding that the troops along with local security agencies will provide “a safe and secure environment” for voting. Over 370,000 troops have been deployed across Pakistan for today's general election, the largest military deployment on a polling day in the nation's history
Security forces have also warned that leaders of mainstream parties and certain candidates face serious security threats. This has also affected the traditional election fervour.
In the run up to the election, the country was hit by a series of terror attacks on candidates and campaign rallies, including one that killed 151 people in Balochistan province on July 13.