Campaign Frenzy Ends as Ballots Reach 299 Constituencies

The nation now awaits the ultimate battle of the ballots. At a press conference held this afternoon, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that the distribution of ballot papers to 299 electoral seats has been successfully completed.

The Secretary noted that the Commission has finalized all necessary preparations for the voting process. He acknowledged that while forming a flawless voters' list was a significant challenge, they successfully incorporated a vast number of young voters and purged deceased individuals from the database. Despite the complexities of registering new political parties and organizing the logistics within a short timeframe, the Secretary expressed confidence as the country reaches the eve of the polls.

To ensure transparency, the EC Secretary urged voters to remain vigilant against misinformation and propaganda, reaffirming the Commission's commitment to integrity. In a notable shift, he announced the withdrawal of the previously issued strict policy regarding mobile phone usage at polling centers. He explained that necessary legal adjustments have been made to streamline field operations and that the Commission is exerting its maximum effort to deliver a fair election.

Regarding the counting process, Akhtar Ahmed mentioned that while tallying postal ballots might be time-consuming, there will be no undue delay in announcing the final results. While one constituency’s election has been postponed due to the death of a candidate, polling for the remaining 299 seats will proceed without interruption on the morning of February 12. The entire nation now stands expectant for a free and participatory election, guarded by a security force of one million personnel.