Independents win 101 out of 266 seats in final election tally
PML-N secures the second biggest number of seats at 75; president urges all to respect public mandate; Zardari demands PM’S slot for Bilawal in coalition talks: Report
Allies of imprisoned Pakistani ex-premier Imran Khan won more seats in national elections than the political parties who ousted him from power nearly two years ago, according to a final tally of results published on Sunday.
The vote last Thursday to choose a new parliament was overshadowed by allegations of vote-rigging, an unprecedented mobile phone shutdown, and the exclusion of Imran and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) from the vote.
People from the PTI ran as independent candidates because of moves by the Election Commission and Supreme Court to cripple their party’s participation. One step included stripping the party of its electoral symbol, which helps illiterate voters find candidates on the ballot. Another was banning party rallies.
Imran, who was kicked out of office through a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022, has been in prison since last August. He was barred from contesting the vote because of his criminal convictions and contends his sentences and the slew of legal cases against him are politically motivated.
The final tally showed that independent candidates secured 101 out of 266 seats in the National Assembly, or lower house of parliament.
The Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) led by three-time premier and ex-felon Nawaz Sharif secured the second biggest number of seats at 75.
The Pakistan Peoples Party, or PPP, led by Bilawal Bhuto Zardari, came in third with 54 seats. One result has been withheld and another vote was postponed because of a candidate’s death. The campaign to kick Imran out of office in 2022 was led by the PML-N and the PPP.
No party has won a majority to form a government, so Pakistan will have a coalition. The new parliament chooses the country’s next prime minister.
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi congratulated people on taking part in the voting process during the general elections. In a statement on X, he said he must congratulate the people of Pakistan, specially the women for coming out in huge numbers and strengthening democracy.
“The youth deserve a special mention, and I praise them for having decided to take charge of the country by participating peacefully in the voting process. They have put their faith in democracy. This belief is very precious, it will write history and must be recognised,” he added.
He said, “A true mandate is essential to come out of the severe financial crunch, to make difficult decisions, to repair, and to heal the biterness of the past. We must celebrate this effervescent new focus and show it to the outside world.
“My confidence in our brilliant future has been strengthened as the people have not only spoken but have shouted out their will.”
“Nothing can crystallise unless this huge mandate of my citizens is respected and recognised. Politicians, their parties, and our institutions must embrace this God sent opportunity. Allah is definitely very gracious to Pakistan. Come rise my people, unite, put everything together, repair and build. The world awaits you,” he concluded.
Earlier, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif told his party leaders that former president Asif Ali Zardari has demanded prime minister’s slot for his son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhuto Zardari and major ministerial porfolios, local media reported.
In a major development, the PPP has agreed to make a coalition government with the PML-N on the condition that Bilawal will be made prime minister, The News reported.
Shahbaz told the party leaders that Zardari offered, in exchange, the PPP would support the PML-N to form its government in the Punjab province.
The News has learnt from the PML-N sources that Shahbaz met Zardari and Bilawal on Friday night and discussed the future coalition. Party sources said on Saturday the PML-N leaders had discussed different options for forming the future government in Centre as well as in Punjab province.
Party sources claimed the PML-N leadership was in a shock as the election results were completely different from their expectations.
They said Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and other PML-N leaders were overconfident and the party leadership didn’t pay much atention to public rallies, door-to-door campaigns, mass public campaigns and direct contacts with voters, especially on election day, The News reported.