The results showed the victory of the independents, most of whom were supported by the PTI, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is in prison (Reuters)

The Pakistani General Election Commission in Islamabad announced the completion of the counting of votes for the general elections, and revealed the victory of 264 candidates out of 266 seats for the Federal Parliament, while the election of one seat was postponed and the result of a winner in another seat was suspended.

According to what was reported by Al Jazeera Net's envoy to Islamabad, Shaher Al-Ahmad, the results showed that the independents won 101 out of 264 seats, most of them supported by the Tehreek-e-Insaf party (which is banned from running in the elections) led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is in prison.

The Muslim League-Nawaz Party (former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif) came in second place, which won 75 seats, becoming the party that won the largest number of seats in Parliament after Imran Khan’s supporters ran as independent candidates.

The People's Party came in third place, winning 54 seats, the United Qaumi Movement won 17 seats, while the rest of the other political forces won 17 seats.

The final results were released more than 60 hours after voting ended on Thursday, a delay that raised questions about the electoral process.

The Election Commission spoke of “internet problems” to justify the slow process, and doubts about the credibility of the elections increased due to the authorities cutting off communications and Internet service via mobile phones throughout polling day.

Search for alliances

The parties winning a large number of seats seek to establish alliances to obtain the support of two-thirds of parliamentarians in order to form a government.

The League-Nawaz Party and the People's Party agreed to form a coalition government "in the center" and in the "Punjab" region after the leaders of the two parties, Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto, and former President Asif Ali Zardari met.

Sources reported that Zardari and Shahbaz agreed to form a government in the Punjab region and in the center, and the two parties will present their views at the next meeting, and all matters related to the power-sharing formula will be finalized.

The Free Elections Network, an independent watchdog, said that nearly 60 million of the more than 128 million registered voters cast their ballots at the polls.

The United States, Britain, and European Union countries have expressed concern about the electoral process and urged an investigation into the reported irregularities.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies