Pakistan Election Results 2024 Live Updates: No Clear Majority; Both Imran and Nawaz Sharif Claim Victory
Catch live updates on the Pakistan Election Results 2024 here.
The election comes when Pakistan faces a deteriorating security situation, an economic meltdown that has caused a balance-of-payments crisis, skyrocketed inflation, and a tense internal political situation.
(Photo: Altered by The Quint)
Pakistan Election Result 2024 Live Updates: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) began disclosing results of the 2024 Pakistan General elections in the early hours of Friday, 9 February, as former Premier Nawaz Sharif sought talks with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Pakistan People's Party.
Numbers started trickling in more than 17 hours after polling stations closed. Voting was held on Thursday amid sporadic violence, a nationwide internet blackout, and allegations of ballot-tampering.
Out of the 336-strong National Assembly, 226 of them are filled by elected candidates while the remaining 70 seats are reserved. Among the reserved seats, 60 are designated for women and 10 for non-Muslims that are allocated based on each party's representation in the Assembly.
Out of the 250 seats announced, Independents, including those aligned with PTI, clinched 99, PMLN secured 71, PPP attained 53, and 27 went to other parties. Additionally, one seat has been postponed, leaving 48 seats yet to be determined.
More than half of the National Assembly seats, totaling 136, have been announced. Independent candidates affiliated with PTI continue to hold a slim lead, securing victory in 54 constituencies. PML-N trails closely in second place, winning 42 seats, including victories for former Prime Ministers Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif in their respective contested constituencies.
A police officer stands guard as workers prepare ballot boxes and other materials before dispatching them to polling stations for the upcoming 8 February general election in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Polling staff members leave a collection point after collecting polling materials for 8 February general elections in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Army soldiers patrol the vicinity of a polling material distribution center to ensure security ahead of 8 February general elections in Lahore, Pakistan.
Members of polling staff leave after collecting polling material for 8 February general elections at a distribution center in Lahore, Pakistan.
Pakistan's 128 million registered voters cast their ballots to pick 266 representatives on forming the 16th Parliament in a first-past-the-post system.
They have also voted to elect the legislatures of the country’s four provinces – Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Securing a simple majority requires a minimum of 133 seats, but it's speculated by many analysts that the election outcome might not yield a decisive winner
Nawaz Sharif, the three-time former PM who recently returned from a self-imposed exile, is considered to be a favourite in the 12th general elections of the country.
PTI leader and former PM Imran Khan is in jail along with other party leaders who have been arrested. Many PTI candidates have also been declared independents or had their nomination papers rejected.
The Pakistan general elections comes at a time when the country is facing a deteriorating security situation, an economic meltdown, skyrocketing inflation, and a tense internal political situation.
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The Candidates: Imran Khan
Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have faced multiple challenges in the aftermath of Khan's removal as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
The cricketer-turned-politician has been shot, is being tried in cases connected to 180 charges ranging from rioting to terrorism, and was incarcerated following a conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case, where he was accused of selling the State's gifts.
Despite maintaining broad public support, the prospects of a political comeback for 71-year-old Khan seem tenuous.
The Candidates: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
35-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a former foreign minister and scion of a family that has produced two prime ministers, is advocating for new ideas and leadership to address the political and economic instability in the nation.
As the son of the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in 2007, and the grandson of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was executed by a military dictator in 1979, Bhutto Zardari carries the legacy of a revered political family in Pakistan.
Despite the political significance of his family, the PPP led by Bhutto Zardari has faced challenges from the PML-N and the PTI in the ongoing electoral battle.
The Candidates: Nawaz Sharif
Three-time Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to his homeland in October 2023, ending a four-year self-exile in London after the nation’s Supreme Court reversed its six-year-old verdict disqualifying politicians found not to be "honest and righteous."
Sharif’s final term in office was marred by tumultuous events commencing with a then-Opposition-led blockade of Islamabad and his eventual disqualification by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2017. This verdict followed extensive hearings prompted by the "Panama Papers" revelations relating to alleged corruption during his preceding two tenures.
The former prime minister was convicted in absentia while he was in London tending to his ailing wife, Geo News reported. He was also slapped with a seven-year imprisonment and a PKR 1.5 billion fine on Sharif in the Al-Azizia sugar mills case.
Early Results Show Close Battle
Early results showed the PMLN, PPP and PTI candidates fighting a close battle. Results started to trickle in nearly 12 hours after polling for national and provincial assemblies ended on Thursday.
What's the Delay in Results Being Announced?
ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal attributed the delay in results being declared to an "internet issue."
The Numbers So Far
As things stand, the ECP has announced results for 13 of the 265 contested seats in the National Assembly.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, representing the PML-N party led by his brother Nawaz Sharif, secured victory in the NA-123 seat from Lahore, contributing to the party's total of four seats as of 9 am.
Independent candidates supported by the imprisoned Imran Khan-led PTI party emerged victorious in five parliamentary seats, surpassing PML-N's numbers.
The PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, managed to win only three seats as on 9 am, trailing behind both PML-N and PTI.
Latest Wins As Leads Continue to Pour in
According to Dawn, these are the lastest representative to win the polls:
Rana Mubashir Iqbal, representing PML-N, has won the NA-124 Lahore (VIII) seat with 55,387 votes.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain, affiliated with PML-Q, has emerged victorious in NA-64 Gujrat III, securing 105,205 votes.
Qaisara Elahi, an independent candidate backed by PTI and wife of Pervez Elahi, attained the second position with 80,946 votes in NA-64 Gujrat III.
Muhammad Atif, supported by PTI, has won the NA-22 Mardan II seat with 114,748 votes.
Chaudhry Salik Hussain, representing PML-Q, clinched victory in PP-32 Gujrat-VI with 55,615 votes.
Numbers as of 11:30 am
According to Pakistan's Election Commission website as of 11:30 am, the PMLN is in the lead with 14 seats, followed closely by independent candidates, some of whom are affiliated with the PTI, who have secured 12 seats. Meanwhile, the PPP holds the third position with nine seats.
Imran Khan's Absence Looms Large Amidst Elections
The absence of Imran Khan cannot be more searing. Khan, who was sentenced to a cumulative 31 years of jail in three different cases, is the country’s most popular political leader in recent times. His adventures and run-ins with Pakistan’s powerful army establishment, however, have rendered him absent from the political arena.
With Imran Khan in jail, it is the presence of his political rival Nawaz Sharif that looms large over Lahore and other major Pakistani cities. Near the famous clock tower in Faisalabad, the only posters visible are that of Nawaz and his PMLN candidates.
Click here to read Anida Ramsamy's full story for The Quint.
Nawaz Sharif Maintains Short Lead
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party was slightly ahead in early election results on Friday, after vote counts were hit by unusual delays that the government ascribed to a suspension of mobile phone services.
By 0600 GMT, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had announced 47 results for the 265 contested seats in the National Assembly, with Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) winning 17 and supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan 14.
Nawaz Sharif Wins From NA130
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also clinched victory in the Lahore seat according to Geo News. Sharif, representing NA-130 for PML(N), secured his seat with 171,024 votes.
Independents Edge Ahead
As of 15 minutes ago, Al Jazeera is reporting that the Independents, with some of affiliated to the PTI have bagged 18 seats, with the PMLN in second with 17 and PPP wrapping up the top three with 15 seats.
The Numbers So Far
The Election Commission of Pakistan has announced results for 67 seats, with 198 seats remaining. The latest numbers are:
PPP: 22 seats
PMLN: 18 seats
Independents (some of them affiliated with PTI): 23 seats
Others: 4 seats
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Wins From Qamber Shahdadtkot
PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has won the seat in Qamber Shahdadtkot-I with 85,370 votes, according to the provisional results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan quoted by Dawn.
PTI Alleges Vote Tampering
A PTI spokesperson quoted by Al Jazeera has accused Pakistan authorities of tampering with election results.
“The PTI-supported candidates were always in the lead from the start,” Raoof Hasan said
“The declaration of results was slowed down, and then it was completely stopped and was like that for a couple of hours… we were leading by big margins last night. But that is not the case this morning," he added
Hafiz Saeed's Son Loses from Lahore
26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed's son Talha Saeed lost out to PTI backed Latif Khosa from Lahore's NA 122 seat, news agency ANI said citing local media reports.
Results as of 3pm
As of 3pm, announcements have been made for 107 seats, with 42 going to Independents, including PTI affiliates, 34 to PMLN, 27 to PPP, and 4 to other parties. One seat has been postponed, leaving 158 seats yet to be determined.
Results Continue to Pour In
PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur has emerged victorious on the NA-44 seat from Dera Ismail Khan with 93,443 votes, according to the provisional results released by the ECP.
Meanwhile, PTI-backed candidate Shahid Ahmad Khattak has won the NA-38 seat from Karak, Dawn reported.
'Nawaz Ready to Give Victory Speech': PMLN
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said that chief Nawaz Sharif is set to deliver a "victory speech" and that it is in contact with the independent candidates backed by jailed Imran Khan's party.
The Halfway Mark
More than half of the National Assembly seats, totaling 136, have been announced. Independent candidates affiliated with PTI continue to hold a slim lead, securing victory in 54 constituencies. PML-N trails closely in second place, winning 42 seats, including victories for former Prime Ministers Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif in their respective contested constituencies.
The Independent Candidate Rule
Candidates who run as independents i.e. all of the PTI's candidates, can nominate affiliation to any party within 72 hours of victory, an action that often leads to horse-trading and deal-making in Pakistani politics. It is said that Nawaz Sharif is in contact with several independents to bridge the gap to the majority mark.
PML-N Leader Ayaz Sadiq Wins From Lahore IV
PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq has won the Lahore IV seat according to provisional results with the PTI-backed Usman Hamza Awan coming in second.
PML-N's Nawaz Sharif Claims Victory While Trailing in Polls
PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has said there is a need for all the political parties to sit together and form a government to pull Pakistan out of the difficulties it is currently in.“We can’t hold elections again and again,” he said. “We were all sitting together yesterday but didn’t address you because the results were not in.”
“All the institutions in this country, every one should together play a positive role in bringing Pakistan out of this crisis,” Nawaz said, adding that the same was not just his or Ishaq Dar’s responsibility.“This is everyone’s Pakistan, not just PML-N’s. Everyone should sit in harmony and bring Pakistan out of the difficulties.”
More From Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif is delivering a victory speech at the PMLN central secretariat in Lahore, despite his party trailing behind in official results.
Key points from his speech include:
Asserting PMLN as the largest party post-elections.
Emphasizing past achievements in steering the country through challenges and pledging to do so again.
Extending an invitation to all parties to collaborate in forming a government, offering to work together to address Pakistan's crisis.
The PMLN leader acknowledges that the party does not have the numbers to form a government itself. Despite wishing for a larger mandate, Sharif expresses willingness to invite other party leaders for talks about a coalition government.
He emphasizes the importance of sitting together in harmony with other parties to "change" Pakistan. Additionally, Sharif states his respect for the mandate received by other parties.
PTI Alleges 'Massive Rigging' in Lahore NA-128
The PTI has alleged that “massive rigging” went uncovered in Lahore’s NA-128 seat and said, “The returning officer met with the losing candidate Aoun Chaudhry, and with police assistance, he transported the ballot boxes from the RO office in his car.
“He fabricated Form 47, using fake stamps and tampered with numbers. This is how the mandate of the people is being stolen,” the party said in a post on X.
'Shehbaz to Hold Talks to Form Govt': Nawaz Sharif
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Shehbaz Sharif and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will meet other parties tonight to talk about forming a government.
Pakistan Chief Congratulates the Country on the Sucessful Polls
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s provisional results, 15 seats are still pending as the country waits for the final outcome. Menawhile, the Pakistan Army Chief has congratulated the nation of the successful polls.
In a statement issued by ISPR, Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir said, "Free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people to exercise their right of vote demonstrated their commitment to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in Constitution of Pakistan,” the statement says.
“Leadership and personnel of law-enforcement agencies deserve our highest appreciation for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds.
“The constructive role played by national media, civil society, members of civil administration and judiciary enabled the successful conduct of the largest electoral exercise in national history.”
Imran Khan Claims Victory
Independent candidates, mostly linked to jailed PTI leader Imran Khan, have taken a lead as counting unfolds.
In an AI-generated victory speech, Khan claimed victory and congratulated Pakistani citizens saying, "You have set the foundation for your haqeeqi azaadi by voting yesterday. I congratulate you all for winning the 2024 elections.”