Pakistan Cuts Off Phone and Internet Services On Election Day - Slashdot

Pakistan Cuts Off Phone and Internet Services On Election Day

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• Re:

  On the one hand, I imagine it's meant to make it difficult for any group trying to coordinate disruption of the voting. On the other hand I know I wouldn't be voting to re-elect the people who decided to cut off my mobile and Internet access.

  • GOTV

    I would expect GOTV efforts are hamstrung by this. Maybe that is the point.

    • 1 hidden comment

    • • Re:

        There's definitely people who don't know what day today is, nor that it's election day -- even if only a few. Also no, we don't keep track of what happens in Pakistan, that's why we're randomly speculating about the reasons. You are welcome to mention why instead of acting surprised no one here knows.

  • Re:

    I presume it is to stifle the protests of supporters of deposed Imran Khan.

    • 3 hidden comments

    • • Re:

        Well I don't know the facts but he is currently in jail; the establishment wanted him gone.

        Imran will always has status in the Commonwealth as a cricket legend.

  • Re:

    You might if you look at the alternatives.

    Pakistan has conflict with India, deteriorating relations with Iran, tribal violence along the Afghan frontier, routine sectarian violence in Baluchistan, religious extremism, food shortages, and a basket-case economy.

    A day without the Internet isn't the only issue that Pakistanis will be voting on.

  • Re:

    One thing that has occurred in some countries (not sure about Pakistan):

    You either get a reward for voting the "right way". Or a visit from the local thugs if you vote wrong. People go into the little screened booth to mark up their ballots and are expected to text a picture of it to the local party leaders. For appropriate action.

    Can't text? Enforcers don't know who to go after.

    • Re: The threat of an informed population

      Coming soon to an election near you. "Patriots" defending America from the "insurgents and commies" by restricting access to voting locations.
      Oh, worry not...those folks trying to look very intimidating aren't trying to sway the elections! Just making sure that the "correct and honest" ballots are the only ones counted.

      No? Did you miss that the vast majority of ACTUAL election fraud in 2020 was done by one party?

      • Re:

        Not a problem here. We vote 100% by mail. Or convenient ballot drop boxes, as long as you don't get stuck behind someone trying to stuff a pillowcase full of envelopes through the little slot one at a time.

        • 1 hidden comment

• This is a Test.

  It doesn’t. It was likely done to determine one thing; citizen response.

  Same with this I’ll-turn-it-back-on-when-I-feel-like-it bullshit. This is a Government testing public backlash. If it becomes manageable, then they know they can shut these services off any time they want, and for whatever reason.