The voting process was delayed in many constituencies in Pakistan on Thursday due to lack of polling material and lack of polling staff.

Voting began at 8am in polling stations. It would continues till 5pm. Unofficial first results in the election are expected a few hours after voting closes at 5pm and a clear picture is likely to emerge early on Friday.

Sources said that polling material and staff were not present in NA-246 and PS-77 in Karachi. They also said that some of the polling agents could not reach after the timing started.

Similar kinds of reports were received from NA-247.

The voting process was delayed by 15 minutes in Shahzad Town polling station in NA-48 in Lahore as it did not open on time. A large number of voters were reported to be standing outside the station.

Moreover, the polling could not be started on time at polling station numbers 265 and 262 in the NA-250 constituency.

According to Geo News, the polling staff complained of difficulties in communication due to suspension of mobile phone networks.

Polling was also delayed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner due to cold weather.