Highlights: Legislative elections in Pakistan: surprising partial results, criticism of the counting. Some 128 million voters were called to vote to elect their representatives to the federal Parliament and provincial assemblies. The Election Commission of Pakistan explained that the delay was due to an “internet problem” The party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan believes that this delay in the counting is a sign of electoral fraud. It is unlikely that any party will have a clear majority. This will mean that whoever is in the lead forms alliances, and this, in a context of political divisions.

Legislative elections in Pakistan: surprising partial results, criticism of the counting

In Pakistan, we are still awaiting the results of the legislative elections which were held on Thursday February 8. Some 128 million voters were called to vote to elect their representatives to the federal Parliament and provincial assemblies. The results are slow to come. But the first partial results broadcast by the TV channels are surprising for the moment. The delay in the counting raises many questions and criticisms.

A seller puts away newspapers at his stall, a day after the general elections, in Lahore, February 9, 2024. REUTERS - NAVESH CHITRAKAR

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Islamabad,

Sonia Ghezali

In previous elections, we more or less had an idea of which party was in the lead around midnight. But today, we are still waiting. The Election Commission of

Pakistan

explained that the delay was due to an “internet problem”.

The party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan believes that this delay in the counting is a sign of electoral fraud. There are already several irregularities that have been reported in the media and which come from different constituencies across the country. For many analysts, these elections are the least credible in the history of Pakistan because of their conduct, especially because of the repression which fell on the party of Imran Khan, disqualified, and which did not was able to campaign.

Read alsoPakistan: a day of voting punctuated by violence for the legislative and provincial elections

Towards forming alliances

Nawaz Sharif was said to be the favorite, but it appears that former Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI candidates have defied predictions as unofficial results broadcast by television channels indicate that his candidates are in the lead. Imran Khan is imprisoned for several convictions including a corruption case. Candidates from his party were not allowed to participate under the PTI label and had to run as independent candidates.

Everyone favored former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, now considered the candidate supported by the army. But Imran Khan's popularity has not waned, even though he is in jail. On the contrary, it is as if his supporters and those who were disappointed by the political crisis and the relentlessness against the PTI had mobilized en masse to vote in favor of Imran Khan's party.

We still have to wait a few hours to get the official results. It is unlikely that any party will have a clear majority. This will mean that whoever is in the lead forms alliances, and this, in a context of political divisions.

Also read: Pakistan: more than 128 million voters called to vote, internet suspended

Legislative elections in Pakistan: surprising partial results, criticism of the counting

Legislative elections in Pakistan: surprising partial results, criticism of the counting

Towards forming alliances

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