Millions of voters began casting their ballots Saturday in Pakistan's key general elections. The nationwide vote marks the first time a civilian government would transfer power to an elected successor after completing a full five-year term, according to a report of DPA. Officials expected a large turnout because about half of the more than 86 million eligible voters used a text message service to verify electoral rolls and get information about polling locations. In all, 272 seats in the National Assembly and 577 seats in four provincial legislatures were up for grabs, but elections were cancelled in at least two national and three provincial constituencies due to security reasons. Another 70 seats in the National Assembly and 151 seats in provincial legislatures are reserved for women and religious minorities, which will be filled proportionately on the basis of seats secured by the parties. More than 600,000 security personnel, including thousands of soldiers, bolstered security for the parliamentary election. The month-long campaign was marred by shootings and bombings that killed more than 115 people, while a son of Pakistan's former prime minister was kidnapped by gunmen. Opinion polls put the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party ahead, followed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of cricket legend Imran Khan.
