Trisha Ghosh, Pune
24 people were killed in 2 bomb blasts that took place on Wednesday outside election offices of candidates in Pakistan, in the Pishin district. This incident occurred just a day before the country’s parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to be held on February 8. It is also the latest in a series of similar security incidents and threats occurring in the run-up to the elections.
The first blast occurred in the vicinity of the office of an independent candidate in Pishin, which is located around 100 kilometres from the border of Afghanistan. According to Jan Achakzai, the caretaker information minister for the Balochistan province, and police from the nearby city of Quetta, an additional 25 people have been injured.
He further elaborated that the second explosion occurred near the election office of a member of the Islamist Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F party in Killa Saifullah. This blast took place in one of the main areas of the city, which is a bazaar. Till now, no one has been immediately convicted of the blasts. However, due to the province being rich with resources and Pakistan’s least populated as well, it houses many militant groups that are fighting for the area’s potential wealth. It has also been targeted in attacks by the Islamic State Group.
Wednesday, February 7 is the eve of the national vote for the Pakistani people to re-elect new members of government. However, the day has been impacted by not only the aforementioned violence, but also previous allegations of poll rigging. These are preceded by numerous attacks on candidates across the country, with at least two being shot dead. This is compounded by the crackdowns on the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who went out of power in 2022.
The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies states that militant attacks have risen rapidly in the past year. The economy is currently facing a crisis, with inflation at 30 percent and a balance of payments deficit. According to polling agency Gallup, 7 in 10 Pakistanis lack confidence in their elections. Hence, whoever wins the upcoming elections will take over a country that is undergoing severe economic and political turmoil.
Election campaigning ceased on Tuesday night, whilst voting will commence at 8 am on Thursday and end at 5 pm. The national and 4 provincial assemblies include 18,000 candidates standing for seats. 266 are contested in the National Assembly, whilst 70 are reserved for women and minorities. Additionally, there 749 in regional parliaments.
Achakzai has said in regard to the latest twin blasts that the aim was to sabotage the elections. He said, “The election will take place tomorrow. People of Balochistan will come out tomorrow without any fear.”