Imran Khan’s supporters are leading Pakistan’s elections, with a limited lead over traditional parties, but that does not guarantee their ability to form a government. Preliminary results show that Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won 92 seats, while Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) got 63 seats. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also did better than expected with 50 seats. Delays in the publication of results raised suspicions of fraud and sparked post-election violence that left two people dead.
Despite its strong electoral performance, the PTI will need alliances to obtain an absolute majority and form a government. The PML-N appears to be best placed to form a coalition, given its favorable position in preliminary results and support from the military. However, nothing is over yet, as other parties will also have the opportunity to woo PTI-backed independents and rally them to their cause.
Imran Khan’s supporters have expressed displeasure over delays in publishing the results, suspecting manipulation of the figures. Violence broke out, notably in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stronghold of the PTI, where two supporters lost their lives. These incidents highlight ongoing tensions and divisions within Pakistani society.
These legislative elections in Pakistan have revealed a limit to electoral manipulation, demonstrating that the army does not always succeed in obtaining what it wants. This reflects the evolution of the political landscape and the aspiration of citizens for fair and transparent elections.
In conclusion, although Imran Khan’s supporters are leading in Pakistan’s elections, they will need to form alliances to gain a majority and govern. Delays in the publication of results raised suspicions of fraud, leading to post-election violence. These elections highlighted the desire of voters to ensure that their vote counts and that the democratic process is respected.