Elections in Pakistan today with Imran in jail

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan is in jail. He was sentenced in four cases. And this time, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is ahead in the race to become the Prime Minister, has been acquitted from one case.

It is possible to predict that Nawaz Sharif and his party will win the election. Pakistan is a country where no government has completed a full term of power. They have been or had to be ousted on some pretext or other.

Analysts believe that the country's military is behind the release and imprisonment of all the main politicians. Although the military has been denying these allegations since the beginning. But Nawaz Sharif was once the eyesore of the military, it has been reported in the international media. Meanwhile, on the day before the election, at least 28 people were killed in a bomb blast.

Elections were delayed by a year. Pakistan's future is threatened by economic crisis and terrorist attacks. Because no matter who wins the election, there are doubts about how much he will be able to deal with this crisis in the country.

Imran Khan is currently a popular leader in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif's brother Shahbaz Sharif came to power after ousting him. During his tenure, Nawaz Sharif was released from one case after another by changing the law. And Imran Khan was arrested and jailed in various cases.

74-year-old Nawaz Sharif is trying to become the prime minister for the fourth time. He is being brought back from abroad and placed in power. 

However, Nawaz Sharif may face a challenge from 35-year-old Bilawal Bhutto of the Pakistan People's Party. Because Bilawal has already feared election rigging. He even said that all the plans to put one in power are being implemented. Nawaz has announced that he will not be the foreign minister if he becomes the prime minister.

Former Ambassador of India to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria said in an interview to news agency ANI that what will happen in Pakistan elections can be said now. The army has already decided who it wants as prime minister and that man is probably Nawaz Sharif.

Therefore, Two blasts claimed 28 lives in Balochistan yesterday, a day before elections. However, around 500,000 security personnel have been deployed since Wednesday. Ballot papers were distributed to about 90,000 polling stations. This election is surrounded by various controversial incidents including the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

At least two candidates were shot dead before the vote. Besides, several incidents of attacks have been reported across the country.

Imran's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cannot seek votes for its own cricket bat brand in the elections. As a result, the candidates and supporters of the party were forced to contest as independent candidates. The Election Commission has allotted them different symbols like vegetables. Allegations are being made that even the neutral administration led by the caretaker government is not allowing them to conduct election campaign properly. 

Voting will continue from 8 am to 5 pm local time. The fifth most populous country in the world, Pakistan has a total population of 241 million, of which 128 million people have the right to vote.

As a parliamentary democracy, Pakistan is preparing to hold elections for the federal legislature and four state legislatures. A staggering number of 5,121 candidates from 44 political parties are competing for seats in the federal legislature, while 12,695 candidates are contesting for positions in the state legislatures. 

There are a total of 336 seats in the National Assembly. Out of these, 266 seats are filled through direct voting and the remaining 70 seats are reserved. Among the reserved seats, 60 are for women and 10 are for non-Muslims. The allocation of these reserved seats is based on the strength of each party in the Assembly.