By IRNA
Islamabad : Counting in Pakistan’s parliamentary elections for the new parliament is underway and unofficial results will start coming later tonight.
The counting started at 5:00 p.m. in the presence of the agents of candidates at polling booths under tight security.
The elections were almost peaceful and there had been no major incident of violence.
There were few incidents of violence, causing some casualties in parts of the country.
At least 10 people were killed and over 100 injured in several polling stations in cross clashes.
Tight security was in place across the country with deployment of thousands of troops and hundreds and thousand of policemen as will as paramilitary forces.
Recent bomb blasts and suicide attacks prompted be unprecedented security measures at thousands of sensitive areas especially in the tribal region and parts of North West Frontier province (NWFP).
Major parties Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Mutahida Qaumi Movement, Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, Awami National Party were among 47 parties taking part in the election.
An alliance of over 20 parties All Party Democratic Alliance (APDM) boycotted the election.
In all 64,176 polling stations, 71,000 staff supervised the conduct of the polls.
About 2,250 candidates ran for the election of 269 general seats of National Assembly, while the election on three seats was postponed due to the deaths of candidates and security concerns.
About 5,080 candidates were in the field for the contest of 570 general seats of the four provincial assemblies, while the election on four seats of Punjab and three of North West Frontier Province assemblies was postponed.
The Returning Officers after completing the counting of the votes at the polling stations will announce official results.