As millions of people prepare to vote for a new government, Pakistan has banned mobile calls and data services.
An interior ministry spokeswoman justified the measure by noting recent terrorist attacks in the country.
The election comes nearly two years after the last prime minister, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Nawaz Sharif, a three-time prime minister, is running in what many observers consider Pakistan’s least legitimate election to date.
“Voters should be facilitated instead of [having to be met with] such hurdles,” a voter told the BBC.
Someone person mentioned that she expected a blanket closure.
Many Lahori voters told the BBC that they were unable to schedule cabs to cast their ballots owing to the internet outage, and some claimed they were unable to connect with other family members to identify the ideal time to visit polling stations.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry justified the decision, saying, “Precious lives have been lost as a result of the country’s recent terrorist attacks.” Security measures are essential for dealing with potential threats and maintaining law and order.
On Wednesday, two bomb attacks killed 28 people in Balochistan, a province plagued by turmoil.
Bilawal Bhutto Zadari, the son of deceased former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, also expressed his displeasure with the shutdown and requested that services be restored “immediately”. In an attempt to restore services, Mr. Bhutto, who is also running for president, stated that his Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has contacted the courts and the electoral commission.
Every polling site in the country is strongly guarded, with armed guards at the door and army personnel patrolling the grounds. According to a spokesman for Pakistan’s foreign ministry, border crossings with Afghanistan and Iran have been closed to pedestrians and freight to “ensure full security” throughout the election.
Election coverage standards, which restrict what can be said about candidates, campaigns, and opinion polls, are in effect until the polls close at 1700 local time (1200 GMT). The results must be made public within two weeks of the vote, although it is unclear when they will be announced.
Although the country has previously shut down the internet to control the flow of information, this level of shutdown is unprecedented, especially during an election.
Some female poll workers told the BBC outside one polling station in Multan, Punjab, that women were not allowed to enter polling booths and consequently could not observe the voting process.
Female poll workers are often allotted a seat inside the booth.
Dozens of voters crammed into the tiny hallways of Naseerabad School in Lahore reported to have waited more than two hours to cast their ballots. (BBC)