Islamabad, Pakistan – As Pakistan’s general election results continue to trickle in, Islamabad police have imposed a curfew in the capital, banning public gatherings. The election results have been marred by long delays, sparking frustration and panic among voters who have accused the authorities of ballot rigging.
According to projections, candidates supported by former prime minister Imran Khan’s party are performing better than expected and maintaining a significant lead over the party of favorite Nawaz Sharif. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been announcing results for the 265 contested seats in parliament on its website, but the process has been plagued by delays, prompting allegations of voter fraud.
The PTI party has raised concerns over the delay in announcing election results, claiming that the “overwhelming mandate of the people of Pakistan is being stolen.” The Pakistan Peoples Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also trailing closely with 31 seats secured so far. The ongoing uncertainty over the election outcome has led many analysts to believe that the vote may not produce a clear winner.
Amid the election chaos, Islamabad police have enforced Section 144 orders, banning public gatherings in the Pakistan capital to maintain law and order once the results are out. The long delays in the election process have prompted the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan to voice its concerns, stating that the lack of transparency in the announcement of election results is deeply concerning.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the election has been anything but fair and credible. Analysts emphasize that regardless of the election outcome, the road ahead will be challenging, with a shaky economy, conflicts on multiple fronts, and soaring inflation posing significant challenges for the incoming government.
In the midst of the political turmoil, PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan has stated that the party will not form any alliance with other parties to form the government if PTI-backed independents win the election. Meanwhile, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar claimed that the independents currently leading the polls are in contact with the party, adding another layer of complexity to the post-election scenario.
The ongoing election chaos has raised serious questions about the credibility of the electoral process in Pakistan, as the country anxiously waits for clarity and resolution amidst the uncertainty surrounding the outcome.