Local media revealed that supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have the edge today in Pakistan's election results from over 100 seats, after vote counts were unusually delayed due to a suspension of mobile phone services, as revealed by the government. 

Geo News revealed that independents, who are more lenient towards Khan, had won 47 of 106 seats for which it had results, noting that a total of 265 seats were up for grabs in yesterday's election.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had declared 70 official results by 8:00 GMT, with independents getting 24. Another party, the Pakistani Peoples Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, also got the same result. However, PML-N, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz which is former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party, only won 18 seats while smaller parties won the remaining seats.

According to analysts, these elections may add to the list of struggles in Pakistan along with the economic crisis and rising militant violence, as there may be no definite winner.

Moody's Investors Service stated, "A timely announcement of the results, leading to a smooth formation of a new government will reduce policy and political uncertainty," stressing, "This is crucial for the country that is facing very challenging macroeconomic conditions."

What caused the delay?

Karachi's stock index and Pakistan's sovereign bonds fell because of the uncertainty due to the delay in results. 

Zafar Iqbal, special secretary at the ECP announced that the delay was due to an "internet issue" without explaining any further.

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The government also stated that before the elections yesterday, it stopped mobile phone services as a security measure and then partially initiated them. 

The election battle

The parties expected to dominate were Khan candidates, whose PTI won the last national election, and the PML-N of Sharif.

Khan stated before that the military is working against his party, as analysts and opponents claim that Sharif is being backed by the military 

"I am confident that we will form a government," a close aide to Sharif, Ishaq Dar, informed GEO TV, adding that the PML-N could partake in a coalition with the support of independents.

One of the main challenges Pakistan could be facing if the election's outcome is not definitive is troubles attaining a new bailout program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as the current arrangement will end in three weeks.

A battle

Even though thousands of troops were deployed on the streets and at polling stations yesterday and the borders with Iran and Afghanistan were temporarily closed, 12 people, including two children, were killed in 51 bomb blasts, grenade attacks, and shootings by militants, mostly in the western provinces, according to the military.

Caretaker Interior Minister, Gohat Ejaz also stated "Despite a few isolated incidents, the overall situation remained under control, demonstrating the effectiveness of our security measures."

On the Western side, US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that Washington was concerned about "steps that were taken to restrict freedom of expression, specifically around internet and cellphone use," adding that the US condemns election-related violence in both run-up polls and election day.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesperson revealed in an e-mailed statement that the Secretary-General is also concerned about the violence and the suspension of mobile communications services.

Amnesty International described the suspension of mobile services as "a blunt attack on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly".