Washington (Web Desk): The US State Department on Thursday expressed concern over election-related violence and restrictions on internet and cellular access across Pakistan on general polling day.
At a daily news briefing, the principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “We are going to continue to monitor the electoral process. We are not going to get ahead of any official results. And we want to see a process that took place in a way that allowed for broad participation, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.”
Responding to a question about restrictions placed on freedom of expression during the entire electoral process, he said: “We are tracking reports of restrictions on internet and cellphone access across Pakistan on polling day. And we, along with the international community, will continue to emphasise the importance of democratic institutions and free press, vibrant civil society, and the expanded opportunities for political participation of all of Pakistan’s citizens.”
PML-N stalwart Khawaja Saad Rafique has accepted his defeat from NA-122 and Lahore and congratulated PTI-backed independent candidate Latif Khosa.
According to unofficial and unconfirmed results, Khosa secured 117,109 votes to win the elections, while Rafique could get 77,709.
Unconfirmed and unofficial results of Thursday’s general elections in the country say: PTI-backed independent candidates were leading on the majority of National Assembly seats.