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.
The Pakistan general elections are a tri-contest between Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and imprisoned Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
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.
(Photo: PTI)
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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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.”
'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.
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.
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.”