The final tally was released over 60 hours after voting concluded in Thursday's national elections, a delay that has raised questions about the process.
Pakistan elections result: The result of NA 88 was withheld by the ECP due to complaints of fraud and it would be announced after redressing the grievances of the aggrieved. Election to one seat was postponed after the death of a candidate.
The nation of 241 million people voted on Thursday in a general election, as the country struggles to recover from an economic crisis and battles militant violence in a deeply polarised political environment.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced that President Alvi would invite the party to form a government following their reported majority in the National Assembly. Despite securing 100 seats officially, the PTI claims victory in 170 seats, with 133 needed for government formation.
Out of the 253 seats whose results have been declared, PTI-backed candidates have won 100 seats, while Nawaz's party won 71 seats and Bilawal's PPP got 54 seats. None of the parties have gone past the majority mark, indicating a hung parliament and a possible coalition government.
The elections in Pakistan held on Thursday were marred by militant attacks and suspension of mobile phone services, resulting in at least 12 deaths. Despite that, Pakistan's Foreign Office insisted that the elections were held "peacefully and successfully".
PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and former president Asif Ali Zardari and invited them to work together for Pakistan. Imran Khan's party-backed independent candidates have won the most seats in the turbulent elections.
Imran Khan also claimed rigging and electoral malfeasance in Pakistan's elections, and claimed that his party-backed independent candidates are winning over 170 seats. He also lambasted his rival Nawaz Sharif for giving a victory speech despite trailing by 30 seats.
Votes are still being counted as Pakistan's Election Commission received criticism for the delay in announcements, with Imran Khan-backed independents in the lead. Nawaz Sharif and Imran both claimed victory, despite neither of them reaching the majority mark.
The counting began on Thursday evening at a snail’s pace after polling was over at 5 pm. Pakistan Election Commission data show Independents backed by PTI as leading, with PML-N and PPP following closely.
Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has been imprisoned since 2019 after being convicted in multiple terror cases. The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), believed to be a new face for Hafiz-controlled banned groups, nominated candidates for Thursday's elections.
The elections in Pakistan were marred by political violence, rigging claims and connectivity issues after the government suspended mobile and internet services to foil suspected terror attacks. At least nine people were killed in two dozen incidents of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
All eyes are on Pakistan as the country goes for polls to elect their next Prime. At least 44 political parties will compete for a share of the 266 seats in the National Assembly, with an additional 70 seats reserved for women and minorities. watch the video to know more!
As the results of 250 constituencies were declared, both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan claimed victories, even as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independents won most seats overall. Nawaz's PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto's PPP have agreed on a coalition government at the Centre and Punjab province.
Former PM Imran Khan shared an image of the early counting of votes that showed PTI-backed candidates leading in 125 seats and Nawaz Sharif's PML-N in 44 seats. PTI candidates are contesting as independents as their electoral symbol was denied by the Election Commission.
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Attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan resulted in the deaths of six policemen while voting was underway. The election results would start pouring before midnight and most of the results would be available by the morning, as per reports.
Pakistan has imposed a nationwide clampdown on mobile internet services and temporarily shut some of its borders as voting was underway. Like previous elections, the security situation in Pakistan is fragile, particularly after twin blasts in Balochistan on Wednesday that killed 30.
Pakistan Elections 2024: Shehbaz was also asked if he would prefer to become the prime minister instead of putting the burden of the top job on his brother, who may not be able to discharge responsibilities properly due to advanced age and health issues.
Pakistan elections 2024: Pakistan temporarily shut some of its land borders on Thursday as it beefed up security for voters in a general election that has been preceded by a surge in militant violence. The borders with Iran and Afghanistan were also shut.
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