Pakistan holds general election amid instability
(VOVWORLD) - On Thursday, Pakistan held its general election amid political instability, economic crisis, and increasing violence and terrorism. This is the largest election in Pakistan's history when more than 128 million voters exercised their right to vote. More than 17,800 candidates are running for positions in the National Assembly and provincial councils - an unprecedented number in history.
Voting takes place at more than 90,000 polling stations across the country, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Of these, more than half of polling stations are classified as "sensitive" or "extremely sensitive" in terms of security. To ensure the election taking place smoothly, about 500,000 security personnel of the Pakistani Army, paramilitary forces and police have been deployed.
This year's election is a race between the Nawaz Muslim League - PMLN party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and candidates of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In particular, Mr. Nawaz Sharif is said to have more chances to win the position of Prime Minister thanks to the support of the Army – a powerful force in Pakistan.
Pakistan's new government and Prime Minister will have a heavy task of solving the economic crisis and huge debts, reconciling the relationship with the military, and dealing with security threat from terrorist forces.