Pakistan Election Results 2024 Highlights: Could Nawaz Sharif Become PM Again? PML-N In Talks With PPP, MQM-P

Significant backlash was faced by Pakistan due to the controversial suspension of mobile phone services, leading to accusations of "political engineering".

Discussions on the terms of an alliance between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and the Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) to formulate a government were initiated by PML-N leaders, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Could Nawaz Sharif Become PM Again?

The release of results commenced nearly 12 hours after the conclusion of polling for both national and provincial assemblies on Thursday. The electoral process was overshadowed by instances of violence perpetrated by armed factions, and significant backlash was faced by Pakistan due to the controversial suspension of mobile phone services, leading to accusations of "political engineering".

It is suggested by analysts that three-time former PM Nawaz Sharif is favored by the military over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan to assume power. However, expectations were defied by Khan loyalists, who ran as independents, thriving and winning the most seats. It was hailed as a triumph for democracy by leaders from Khan's party, signaling the people's demand for change.

Here are the top updates of the Pakistan elections:

• Victory in 97 seats was secured by independent candidates supported by PTI, while 76 constituencies were won by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the final official results.
• Additionally, 54 seats were secured by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and 17 seats were garnered by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
• According to a report in Dawn, allegations of "incorrectly altered" results for at least 18 National Assembly seats were made by Imran Khan's PTI.
• On Sunday, a meeting was convened by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PPP president Asif Ali Zardari with PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, with both parties tentatively agreeing to "prevent political instability in the country".
• The PML-N gained the backing of the initial independent candidate supported by Imran Khan's party on Sunday, bolstering its parliamentary influence. Wasim Qadir, previously supported by the PTI and victorious over PML-N's Sheikh Rohail Asghar in Lahore's National Assembly-121 constituency, affiliated with the PML-N following discussions with Maryam Nawaz, daughter of party leader Nawaz Sharif, at her residence.
• Demonstrations against the purported electoral irregularities were urged by Khan's PTI among its supporters in the United Kingdom and the United States.
• As reported by AFP, tear gas was deployed by police to scatter backers of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, following his party's call for demonstrations outside election offices. Incidents of clashes were reported in Rawalpindi city and Lahore. Additionally, dozens of other protests were conducted across the country without any untoward events. Following calls from PTI to protest, police implemented restrictions on "illegal gatherings".
• Several decisions impacting the outcomes of elections in four crucial constituencies were made by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), as reported by Dawn. The consolidation of results was suspended in Islamabad's NA-47 and NA-48 constituencies and Mansehra's NA-15 constituency. A recounting was announced in Hub's PB-21 constituency in Balochistan.
• An analysis of provisional results indicates that in at least 24 National Assembly constituencies, the number of rejected ballots exceeded the margin of victory, Dawn reported. Of these, twenty-two constituencies are located in Punjab, while one each is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.
• Pakistan's courts have been inundated with petitions from losing candidates challenging the provisional results in their respective constituencies. These petitions have been filed within days following the highly polarized general elections in the country.
• According to ARY News, the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Sikandar Sultan Raja, was called for by the PTI, citing constitutional violations. A PTI spokesperson has asserted that both the CEC and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should step down for allegedly breaching the constitution.