As the clock ticks down to the final hours before Pakistan’s much-anticipated 2024 general elections, political parties are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to influence voters, with rallies, meetings and processions ringing across the country.
The midnight deadline of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which marks the end of all election campaigns, is just hours away, and parties have been appealing to voters lately. The commission has made it clear that any campaign conducted after the deadline will face severe penalties, including a potential jail term of up to two years, in accordance with election laws.
A senior official from the ECP stressed that the campaign period officially ends at the stroke of midnight on February 6 and 7, stressing that strict enforcement measures will be put in place thereafter.
Despite logistical challenges and time constraints, the electoral body successfully distributed an impressive 26 million ballot papers to district returning officers across the country, ensuring polling stations are ready for the upcoming election process.
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Meanwhile, political parties intensified their electoral efforts in the run-up to the elections. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is set to hold a big rally in Kasur, while the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has planned a key rally in its stronghold of Larkana.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has announced a series of rallies in various constituencies from 6 pm to midnight in the final day of campaigning. The MQM spokesman confirmed the party’s commitment to reach out to voters until the eleventh hour and try to maximize their support base ahead of election day.
As the nation prepares for the culmination of one of the most hotly contested electoral battles in recent memory, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and excitement as citizens eagerly await the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to shape the country’s future.
