Results from Pakistan’s election are trickling in at a slower-than-normal pace, revealing candidates backed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party performing better than anticipated. The competition appears fierce, with Imran Khan and the favored Nawaz Sharif in a neck-and-neck race.
Preliminary election results, which typically emerge swiftly in Pakistan, faced significant delays overnight, heightening concerns of potential poll rigging. By morning, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had only released results for eight of the 265 contested seats in parliament.
Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N is currently leading in four seats, while independent candidates affiliated with Imran Khan’s PTI party have secured three seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has secured one seat.
The Election Commission attributed the prolonged delay of over 13 hours in counting the votes to an unspecified “internet issue.” Meanwhile, the PTI party alleged that the “overwhelming mandate of the people of Pakistan is being stolen.”
On the election day, polls were open from 8 am to 5 pm for more than 128 million registered voters. However, the process was marred by a blackout of mobile network and data services, accusations of rigging, and claims of unfair conditions for members of Imran Khan’s party.
The election also witnessed poll-related violence and terrorist attacks, resulting in at least 40 casualties over Wednesday and Thursday. Amidst these challenges, analysts suggest that the vote may not produce a clear winner, as any party needs 133 seats in parliament for a simple majority. The unfolding situation raises uncertainties about the final outcome of the closely contested election.
