If the elections do not result in a clear majority for anyone, as analysts predict, it will be difficult to overcome several challenges. The main one is to seek a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue program after the current one expires in March.
The first unofficial results are expected a few hours after voting closes at 5 p.m. and a clear picture should emerge early on Friday.
Smaller political parties could play a crucial role in forming a government that needs 169 seats in the 336-member National Assembly. Voters elect 266 members directly, while 70 reserved seats (60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims) are allocated according to the number of seats won by each party. , independents, many of whom are supported by Khan, will be able to join any party if they win, which could affect their fortunes after the vote.Khan has stated that his candidates will not support either Sharif or Bhutto Zardari.
The elections are also under the influence of increasing militant attacks. On the eve of the election, two explosions at election offices in the southwestern province of Balochistan killed 26 people.
The country is on high alert, the military is deployed at the polling stations. Tens of thousands of soldiers and paramilitaries were pressed into service across the country.Pakistan also said it would close its borders with Iran and Afghanistan during the day for security reasons.