Can you imagine suppressing free speech in 2024?

Yes, this is happening in Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world.
Internet shutdowns, and restrictions on social media applications such as X (formerly Twitter). It was implemented in Pakistan on Saturday after a top government official publicly admitted vote rigging in the February 8 election.
Global Internet monitor netblocks have provided examples of sanctions related to election fraud. NetBlocks said, "Metrics show that X/Twitter has been heavily banned in Pakistan since the four-day mark; revelations of election rigging on the platform on Saturday." NetBlocks said.
Pakistanis went to the polls earlier this month. There have been allegations of vote rigging due to unusual delays in election results due to mobile internet outages on polling day.