The electoral watchdog has announced a public holiday on February 8, when the country would open its polling booths to more than 128 million registered voters.

In a statement, the Election Commission of Pakistan said that the decision was taken to “enable the voters to exercise their right of franchise freely and conveniently.”

It said: “In exercise of powers conferred under Article 218 of the Constitution […] Election Commission of Pakistan is pleased to declare [a] public holiday on February 8 in the country.”