Pakistan finds itself in a state of crisis on Friday as election results remain undisclosed more than 24 hours after polling concluded, with widespread allegations of rigging casting doubt on the integrity of the process.
The polls, held on Thursday, have raised concerns of an attempt to manipulate the results in favor of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N). Sharif, perceived to have the support of Pakistan’s influential military, has a history of political influence and interference in elections.
Despite the controversy, voters turned out in unprecedented numbers across the country to support the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently serving a prison sentence. With over half of the votes counted for the 265 seats in the national assembly, PTI-backed candidates secured 88 seats, while PML-N and Pakistan People’s Party won 60 and 46 seats, respectively.
However, many PTI leaders claim that the party’s actual seat count is higher, and allegations of rigging have been widespread, contributing to the delayed vote count. Protests against the election outcome have erupted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, with reports of police responding with violence. PTI supporters have also taken to the streets in Lahore, adding to the political turmoil in the country.
