A blast in the Pakistani city of Quetta killed at least two dozen people near a polling station.It came shortly after the country began voting in a cliffhanger election on Wednesday.

Video Source: VCG

The explosion was claimed by Islamic State, they say it was carried out by a suicide bomber.Hundreds of thousands of soldiers had been stationed at the polls to prevent such attacks.

The election is the most controversial in Pakistan in years.At the forefront, cricket hero Imran Khan and the party of jailed ex-Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif.

Though Khan was a slight favourite in national polls neither of them are clear winners yet. And whoever wins will be handed a mountain of problems facing the country.

From the economic crisis and a deepening water shortage, to mounting pressure from Washington over Afghanistan.But the election itself has been largely overshadowed by startling allegations against the country's military.Its being accused of trying to tilt the race in Khan's favour after falling out with Sharif's outgoing ruling party.

The race will likely come down to Punjab, the country's most populous province, where Sharif's party has been clinging to its lead. A blast in the Pakistani city of Quetta killed at least 29 people near a polling station.

It came shortly after the country began voting in a cliffhanger election on Wednesday.