海角大神

鈥� A daily summary of global reports on security issues.

There were two more bombings targeting political events today in the leadup to Pakistan's historic May 11 Parliamentary elections, raising fears that the violence could affect voter turnout in what is already being referred to as Pakistan鈥檚 bloodiest elections.

Today鈥檚 first attack took place as a candidate from the hardline Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party passed through a market in northwest Pakistan. The politician 鈥� from the same party that was targeted by a deadly blast yesterday in the same region 鈥� escaped unharmed. But the suicide bombing killed at least 12 people.

No one has claimed responsibility, but the Taliban took credit for yesterday鈥檚 attack at a political rally, which claimed 25 lives and wounded 70, according to the Associated Press. Another blast聽went off today at a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)聽rally in Lower Dir, killing at least four, including the brother of a candidate.

Some 100 people have been聽killed in election-related violence聽since April, when the election campaign officially launched,聽reports Radio Free Europe. Secular candidates, political offices, and political events have all been targeted in the leadup to the vote, which will be the first time in Pakistan's 66-year history that it transitions from one civilian government to another.

Prior to the bombings this week, many observers believed election-related violence could benefit parties like Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, which have typically taken a 鈥渟ofter line鈥� toward the Taliban, according to the AP. Most of the violence in the leadup to the election targeted secular parties, which backed the military鈥檚 attempts to clear Pakistan鈥檚 northwestern region of Taliban and militant activity.

In 2008, the last time Pakistanis went to the polls, only 44 percent of the voter population showed up, thanks in part to violence. This year's election turbulence has many worried the voter turnout could be even lower, prompting the Election Commission in Pakistan to announce it was increasing security around polling stations in Karachi, according to the Dawn.

In spite of the attacks, there are numerous efforts to 鈥済et out the vote鈥� in Pakistan, including groups that specifically target women and youth. According to the 海角大神, only 38 percent of registered female voters cast a ballot in 2008, compared to 50 percent of registered males. Activists are trying to shift that trend this time around, reaching out to women in rural areas who may not even have the national ID card required to vote.

There is attention on the youth population as well, which is about 25 million strong. By some estimates, between 60 and 70 percent of that population may turn out to vote on Saturday, though a culture of disenchantment with the government could affect those numbers. The Monitor reports that a British Council study in April found 鈥渞oughly similar percentages [of youth] expressing support for sharia聽(Islamic law) or military rule as express support for democracy.鈥�

Both of this week鈥檚 attacks took place in areas known to be 鈥渇lashpoints鈥� for violence between Pakistan鈥檚 Sunni majority and Shiite minority, reports BBC News.

According to a separate AP report, Pakistan鈥檚 violence reflects the numerous militant-related problems facing both the government and the military, and religious minorities in the majority Muslim country of 180 million may be suffering the most.

鈥淚ntolerance has been on the rise for the past five years under Pakistan鈥檚 democratically elected government because of growing violence of Islamic radicals, who are then courted by political parties,鈥� say many of the country鈥檚 religious minorities, according to AP.

After a string of attacks on religious minorities earlier this spring, public policy adviser Mosharraf Zaidi wrote in Foreign Policy magazine that the government鈥檚 inaction is allowing extremists to tear apart the fabric of Pakistani society.聽

Elections have already聽been postponed in three districts where candidates have been killed this election season, reports Agence-France Presse.