The general elections are long overdue; Pakistan has been under custodial rule since the previous government was dissolved in August, and were delayed despite a constitutional amendment while the results of the census were certified.

Meanwhile, Imran Kahn, the candidate leading in the polls, is in jail for corruption. Recently the high court barred his party, PTI, was barred from using their symbol of a cricket bat 🏏 on the ballot, which will hamper those running for parliament as PTI candidates.

There is speculation in the media that the elections will be postponed, and fear that in the absence of meaningful democratic governance, the military will step in.