From CNN
Lahore (CNN) — Sporadic violence aimed at polling stations failed to deter high turnout amongst Pakistanis voting in Saturday’s landmark national and provincial elections, with long lines reported in some places.
The national election marks the first transition between civilian governments in the nation’s 66-year history.
In its short existence, the nation has experienced three military coups, been ruled by generals for half its life and remains mired in political turmoil.
In March, the democratically-elected government finished serving a full five-year term, paving the way for the elections.
Polls closed at 6 p.m. (9 a.m. ET) across the country, except for some constituencies in the southern city of Karachi, where there have been complaints about the vote and where polls will remain open for two additional hours, the Election Commission said.
The Election Commission secretary, Ishtiak Ahmed Khan, told a news conference there had been a massive turnout and that the election had been free and fair across much of the country, despite the problems in Karachi.
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