Vedant Patel, US State Department spokesperson, has said that the US is continuing to monitor Pakistan’s electoral process “quite closely”.

In a press briefing, Patel said that the US wanted to see that process “take place in a way that facilitates broad participation with respect for freedom of expression, assembly, and associations”. He also expressed concern for “incidents of violence and restrictions on media freedom”.

“Pakistanis deserve to exercise their fundamental right to choose their future leaders through free and fair elections without fear, violence, or intimidation, and it is ultimately for the people of Pakistan to decide their political future,” he said.