ISLAMABAD 9Daily Point) — The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that internet services will not be suspended on Election Day, countering earlier speculation that such measures might be taken due to concerns about violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The decision to maintain uninterrupted internet access comes amidst calls from human rights organizations for consistent connectivity during the general elections.

Earlier, there were hints from the Caretaker Interior Minister about the possibility of suspending internet services, but the PTA clarified that any such decision would only be made in response to specific requests from districts or provinces.

In terms of election procedures, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has highlighted the use of a specialized Election Management System (EMS) for result tabulation. Despite some concerns raised by returning officers regarding faults in the EMS, the ECP confirmed its distribution to 859 officers, each equipped with necessary IT resources including mobile access to facilitate result transmission.

The EMS, incorporating GPS technology, ensures secure result management through a private network, thereby reducing reliance on public internet infrastructure. In areas with limited fiber optic connectivity, satellite communication is employed to ensure effective transmission of results.

Additionally, the ECP has emphasized transparency in the electoral process by requiring presiding officers to display result sheets outside polling stations. Furthermore, all polling agents are mandated to sign Form 45 to validate the transparency of the election process.