Thousands of troops were deployed on the streets and at polling stations across the country for the voting on Thursday. Borders with Iran and Afghanistan were temporarily closed as security was stepped up.
Despite the heightened security, 12 people, including two children, were killed in 51 bomb blasts, grenade attacks and shootings by militants, mostly in the western provinces, the military said in a statement.
“Despite a few isolated incidents, the overall situation remained under control, demonstrating the effectiveness of our security measures,” caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz said in a statement.
Washington was concerned about “steps that were taken to restrict freedom of expression, specifically around internet and cellphone use”, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters.
The US strongly condemned election-related violence both in the run-up to the polls and on election day, Patel added.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concern about the violence and the suspension of mobile communications services, his spokesperson said in an e-mailed statement.
Amnesty International called the suspension of mobile services “a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”.