Polling began on 21 national and provincial seats in Pakistan's by-elections

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, voting began at 8 a.m. and would continue without any break until 5 p.m. with the provision that voters present within the premises of polling stations would be allowed to cast votes even after the expiry of official timing.

Polling began on April 21 on 21 national and provincial seats in the by-elections in Pakistan amidst tight security and suspension of cellular and internet services in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan to maintain law.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, voting began at 8 a.m. and would continue without any break until 5 p.m. with the provision that voters present within the premises of polling stations would be allowed to cast votes even after the expiry of official timing.

The general elections were held across the country on February 8 to elect representatives for the national assembly and four provincial assemblies.

Polls were however cancelled for one National Assembly seat, two Punjab Assembly seats and one seat of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

Apart from these, candidates who won more than one seat opted for only one after elections, leaving the Election Commission of Pakistan to organise by-election on 21 seats, including five national and 16 provincial assembly seats.

A day earlier, the federal government announced that cellular services will remain temporarily suspended in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan during the by-elections. The request for suspension was made by the ECP.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in a statement said the decision was taken to safeguard the integrity and security of the electoral process.