Pakistan elections included 'undue restrictions on freedoms'

We're now hearing a bit more from the US State Department, as spokesman Matthew Miller says the US joins "credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly".

In a statement, the spokesman says the US condemns electoral violence and "restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

Miller cites "attacks on media workers" and "restrictions on access to the internet and telecommunication services", as reasons for the US concern about "allegations of interference in the electoral process".

"Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated," Miller adds.

On Thursday, an interior ministry spokesman in Pakistan justified the blackouts by saying that, given recent terrorism incidents in the country, "security measures are essential to maintain law and order situation and to deal with potential deaths".