The US administration has expressed concerns over violence and restrictions on internet and cellular access in Pakistan on the polling day.

“We strongly condemn all instances of election-related violence, both in the weeks preceding elections as well as those that transpired on election day,” Vedant Patel, the US State Department principal deputy spokesperson, said at a press briefing on Thursday.

At least four policemen were killed and five others injured in a blast targeting a police vehicle in Kulachi tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday

The blast was the latest in a series of attacks on security forces and law enforcement agencies deployed during the election 2024.

“These kinds of election-related violence, we believe, affected a broad range of political parties across Pakistan. It impacted polling stations, election officers, as well as the election commission,” Patel said.

He reiterated that the administration was concerned about the restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression.

“We are tracking reports of restrictions on internet and cellphone access across Pakistan on polling day. And we, along with the international community, will continue to emphasize the importance of democratic institutions, a free press, a vibrant civil society, and expanded opportunities for political participation of all of Pakistan’s citizens. But I am not going to get ahead of any of the other official election results, so I’m not going to comment on this any further.”

While speaking about election, he said: “I would reiterate that Pakistan’s future leadership is for the Pakistanis to decide, and our interest continues to be in the democratic process.”