The vote-counting process began soon after the polling process ended on 5:00pm on Thursday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier ruled out extending the time for the polling process, saying that the voting process would end at the stipulated time of 5:00pm.

An official of the ECP said that the unofficial results will likely be published at around 6:00pm.

Earlier, the electoral watchdog announced that the doors of all the polling stations will be closed at 5:00pm, the stipulated time for the commencement of polling process.

“The polling process will end at the stipulated time at 5pm. The doors of all the polling stations will be closed at 5pm,” the electoral watchdog said in a statement.

However, those who are already present on the premises of the polling station will be able to cast their votes even after the specified time, it added.

The polling started in Islamabad at 8:00am and will continue till 5:00pm without any break. Queues of voters were seen outside polling booths waiting to cast votes.

The voting process was delayed in several constituencies across the country due to a lack of polling material and polling staff.

Unofficial first results in the election are expected a few hours after voting closes at 5:00pm and a clear picture is likely to emerge early on Friday.