Military deployed as Imran Khan eyes power VOTERS in Pakistan were set to cast their ballots on Wednesday (25) while the military fanned out across the country as the south Asian nation elects a new prime minister this week. The contest has largely been distilled to a two-party fight between jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s incumbent Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz party (PML-N), and cricket legend Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Nearly 106 million Pakistanis, including more than 19 million new voters, will choose a successor to the PML-N, which took power in 2013 and hopes for a new mandate under leader Shahbaz Sharif. A third choice, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari – son of slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto – could become kingmakers, forming a coalition with the winner. Armed soldiers watched closely as election officials in the capital Islamabad on Tuesday (24) distributed ballot boxes and voting materials to polling stations across the city. The military has stationed more than 370,000 personnel nationwide to ensure the vote goes smoothly – the largest such deployment in Pakistan’s history on an election day. It has said the soldiers will work with local law enforcement to ensure “a safe and secure environment” for voting. An additional 450,000 police were also assigned to provide security, according to election officials. The mammoth deployment, coupled with a recent decision by election authorities to grant military officers broad powers inside polling centres, has stirred fears of possible manipulation. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said military officers would be given magisterial powers, effectively making them judge and jury to punish individuals for illegal acts committed inside polling stations. Last week, Sherry Rehman – opposition leader in the Senate, the parliament’s upper house – said the move could lead to potential conflicts and…
You do not have access to this content. You need to create an account.
