PTI calls for peaceful rally amid delayed election results
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This follows nationwide elections held on February 8, although voting results have yet to be announced.
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Supporters of imprisoned Pakistan's Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's and Jamaat-e-Islami party chant slogans during a protest against the delaying result of parliamentary election by Pakistan Election Commission, in Karachi, Pakistan, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 (AP)
Pakistani news sources on Saturday reported that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called on supporters to gather for a peaceful rally in front of polling stations on February 11.
This follows nationwide elections held on February 8, although voting results have yet to be announced.
Thread: Complete Forms 45 of #NA54, Rawalpindi.
— آزاد رینــچ (@NaikRooh) February 10, 2024
A classic case of stolen mandate from people of Pakistan. A constituency brazenly stolen after clear lead of 50,000 after 87% poll count.
Forms 45 (polling station wise count), suggests PTI had won over 90% stations. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/9WKc8Gy8pq
The voting process typically entails nationals electing 266 candidates for the lower house of Parliament, who will subsequently elect a new Prime Minister. Additionally, voters choose representatives for provincial assemblies, who then elect provincial heads.
While the election results were anticipated to be finalized a few hours after midnight on the same day, even unofficial results have yet to be announced.
"No obstacle should be created for the PTI and results should be announced as soon as possible," Gohar Ali Khan, the party chairman, was quoted as saying by Pakistani broadcaster Geo News.
Thappa mafia fully active and stamping ballot papers with stamps somewhere in Pakistan. /76pic.twitter.com/W4AxjU4FrQ
— Wesᴛ Cᴏᴀsᴛ Aᴠᴇɴɢᴇʀ ♠ (@WarriorWCA) February 10, 2024
Despite facing a crackdown, the PTI, the main opposition which emerged as a frontrunner in pre-election polls, faced a setback when the Supreme Court of Pakistan barred the party from partaking in the general election.
Read more: Pakistanis begin voting in national election with Khan in jail
The ruling came following the court's decision that the appointment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's lawyer, Gohar Ali Khan, as the new party chairman is deemed unconstitutional.
The court further revoked the party's recognizable symbols and the PTI's representatives were refused registration, compelling them to run as independent candidates in the general election.
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.
Khan previously stated that the military is working against his party, as analysts and opponents claim that Sharif is being backed by the military
US voices concerns over "undue restrictions"
Washington on Friday questioned the implementation of "undue restrictions" during Pakistan's electoral process and voiced concerns regarding accusations of potential vote-rigging.
"We join credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly," a statement by State Department Matthew Miller read.
"We condemn electoral violence, restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including attacks on media workers, and restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunication services, and are concerned about allegations of interference in the electoral process. Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated.
