<p>Islamabad [Pakistan], July 25 (ANI): Amid tight security, voting begins in Pakistan to elect a new National Assembly and provincial assemblies.</p><p>According to the Dawn, 105.95 million voters are expected to cast their votes in their respective constituencies across the country.</p><p>Pakistan saw intense campaigning ahead of the 11th general election by candidates from key parties, namely Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan's Peoples Party(PPP).</p><p>As many as 800,000 law enforcement and army personnel have been deployed across the length and breadth of the nation to ensure a safe election.</p><p>Taking into account the wave of violence and terrorist attacks witnessed in the run-up to the elections, Peshawar's deputy commissioner has arranged 1,000 kafans (burial shroud) as a pre-emptive measure.</p><p>The troops have been deployed to provide mandated assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct polls, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).</p><p>The logistical arrangements for polling booths are being carried out under the supervision of deployed troops.</p><p>More than 17,000 polling stations have been declared sensitive across the country, while CCTV cameras have also been installed at the polling stations, reported Geo TV.</p><p>In the previous elections, PML-N, led by former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, emerged as the largest party with 166 seats out of a total of 342 in the National Assembly.</p><p>Although the seats were short of a majority, Sharif was able to form a government after several independents joined his party.</p><p>However, Sharif was disqualified as the Prime Minister and as a Member of the National Assembly in July last year after the Panama Papers case decision.</p><p>After Sharif's disqualification, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was elected as 18th Prime Minister of Pakistan by the National Assembly in August 2017.</p><p>While the country is gearing up for the polls, Sharif and his daughter, Maryam, are currently lodged in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, after being convicted in the Avenfield reference case. (ANI)</p><br/><center><em><p>This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI</p></em></center>
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