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ISLAMABAD : Millions of Pakistanis vote Wednesday in a tense election, marred by allegations of military interference and a series of deadly attacks, which observers say , is still outstanding.
Up to 800,000 police and military forces were stationed in more than 85,000 polling stations across the country prior to the poll, a rare democratic transition of power in the country with 207 million people.
Security fears did not seem to discourage some voters.
"These so-called security threats are an excuse to scare voters," said trader Kashif Ahmed at AFP
The election is widely summarized to a fight between Pakistan's Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of a cricket politician turned Imran Khan.
Khan campaigns for populist promises "Do not w Pakistan", vowing to eradicate corruption, clean the environment and build an "Islamic" state.
But his campaign has been tainted by numerous accusations he receives thanks to the powerful security system of the country, with the media, activists and think tanks decrying a "silent coup" by the generals [19659002Thearmy-whichhasruledPakistanforabouthalfofitshistory-dismissedthechargessayingithadno"directrole"intheelectoralprocess19659002] The electoral authorities granted the military officers vast powers in the polling stations, which again raised fears of possible manipulation.
The former Khan playboy has also raised concerns in recent weeks. The PML-N, on the other hand, says that he is the target of alleged military machinations, with candidates under p. Mr. Sharif was incarcerated several days before the vote.
His brother Shahbaz leads the party's campaign.
"Our predictions are very troubled right now," said Bilal Gilani, executive director of Gallup pollster Pakistan, AFP Tuesday
More than 19 million new voters, including millions of women and young, can prove decisive in the tight race.
Gilani says that many remain undecided: "He is still at stake."
The campaign season was also marked by the expansion of right-wing religious parties and a series of bloody militant attacks that killed more than 180 people, including three candidates [19659002TheattackshaveraisedfearsthatPakistanislosinggroundonhard-wonsecuritygainsinrecentyears- AFP
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