Pakistan is facing a difficult time forming a government: the opposition party PTI became the strongest force in the election. The Muslim League PML-N also claims election victory for itself – and is already holding talks about possible coalitions.
In Pakistan, the final results of the parliamentary elections were published after a long delay. More than two days after the vote, 99 percent of the constituencies have been counted, according to statistics from the Electoral Commission. Independent candidates, most of whom are close to the imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his opposition party PTI, became the strongest force with 101 of 266 parliamentary seats.
The Muslim League PML-N led by election favorite Nawaz Sharif won 75 seats, while Pakistan’s People’s Party PPP led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari came in third with 54 seats. Eleven other parties are moving into the National Assembly with a total of 34 mandates.
The results present the nuclear power with a difficult task of forming a government: both Khan’s opposition party and Sharif, who recently returned from exile, are claiming election victory. However, Sharif is likely to have a better chance of forming a coalition. His PML-N has already held talks with the third-place People’s Party PPP.
It is expected that Sharif will recruit defectors from independent candidates in order to find a majority. They have 72 hours after the election to join other parties or form their own factions. An alliance with a small party would also be conceivable and could secure Sharif the necessary majority of 134 seats.
The counting of votes for the National Assembly election in Peshawar took a long time – there are still no results from two constituencies, and in one there was no vote because of the murder of a candidate.
The elections were overshadowed by internet blocks and allegations of manipulation. There are still no results from two constituencies; in one of the cases there was no vote because of the murder of a candidate.
Since Pakistan’s independence over 75 years ago as a result of the partition of British India, there have been repeated unrest and instability in the country. The military ruled for more than half of this time. Even among civilian governments, generals were seen as the force that could determine the success or failure of the political leadership.
Charlotte Horn, ARD New Delhi, tagesschau, February 11, 2024 2:59 p.m