In an unexpected turn of events, independent candidates supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appeared to be gaining momentum in the preliminary results late on Thursday, causing significant waves across the political landscape. This surprising development unfolded despite the absence of the party’s founder, Imran Khan, who remained incarcerated, and amid concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
However, despite the nation expressing its will through the ballot box in the 2024 general elections, uncertainty prevailed, especially with the temporary suspension of cellular services due to security threats just before the start of voting. Additionally, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faced criticism for failing to promptly announce the election results, adding frustration and apprehension to an already tense political environment.
In the early hours of Friday, with only a few results trickling in, PTI-backed independent candidates and supporters gathered at the party’s central secretariat to celebrate what they perceived as victories. PTI Chairman Gauhar Khan claimed that their candidates were leading in 150 National Assembly seats.
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The initial results showed victories for PTI-backed candidates, including Muhammad Nawaz Khan Allai in NA-13, Battagram, and Ali Muhammad Khan in NA-23, Mardan. However, amidst ongoing media coverage of unofficial results, the absence of official announcements from the ECP by 2 a.m. on Friday exacerbated tensions.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja attributed the delay in results to the suspension of cellular services, despite earlier assurances that the ECP’s system could function without them. Despite the frustration and uncertainty, media projections suggested that PTI-backed candidates were leading in a significant number of National Assembly seats.
These projections came as a shock to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which remained tight-lipped along with the ECP. Meanwhile, amidst security challenges and allegations of pre-poll manipulation, the military’s media wing reported casualties in attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
While the PTI leadership celebrated the initial results, they expressed concerns about the slowdown in result announcements, hinting at possible attempts to tamper with the outcome. They warned of serious consequences for any interference in the electoral process and called for swift and transparent result announcements.
Amidst the unfolding drama, PML-N Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed labeled the poll results as possibly the biggest election upset in Pakistan’s political history, emphasizing the importance of respecting the popular will and mandate of the people.
The delayed announcement of results prompted the ECP to issue a statement directing Provincial Election Commissioners and Returning Officers to declare all results within the next half an hour, threatening strict action against any delays. This move underscored the frustration and urgency surrounding the election outcome.
