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Independent candidates backed by ex-PM Khan's party take early lead in Pakistan's national election

Published:Friday | February 9, 2024 | 9:57 AM
Supporters of imprisoned Pakistan's Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party block a road as a protest against the delaying result of parliamentary election by Pakistan Election Commission, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, February 9, 20204. Independent candidates backed by Khan's party were leading Pakistan's national election results, a day after sporadic violence, allegations of a preordained outcome and a cellphone service shutdown overshadowed the vote. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Independent candidates backed by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan were leading in Pakistan's national election results on Friday, a surprise given claims by his supporters and a national rights body that the balloting was manipulated to favour his rival.

Khan, a former cricket star turned Islamist politician with a significant grassroots following, was disqualified from running in Thursday's election because of criminal convictions against him. He contends his sentences and the more than 150 legal cases still pending against him were politically motivated.

His party's candidates had to run as independents in the election after they were barred from using the party symbol — a cricket bat — to help illiterate voters find them on ballots.

Of the 200 National Assembly results announced by the country's election oversight body as of Friday evening, candidates backed by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, had won 85 seats. The Pakistan Muslim League of his rival, three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, had 59 seats.

With the results for 66 more seats still pending and a third major party in the mix, it was too soon for any party to declare victory.

However, that did not stop Sharif's relatives and loyalists from appearing on a balcony at the party headquarters in the eastern city of Lahore, waving to the crowds below. People threw rose petals on Sharif's car as he arrived to give a speech to supporters.

PTI chairman Gohar Khan told Pakistani news channel Geo that the party's own count shows it securing a total of 150 seats, enough to form a government, although 169 seats are required for a majority in the 336-seat National Assembly, or the lower house of parliament.

If confirmed by the final vote count, that outcome would defy almost all pre-election predictions. Observers had expected the Pakistan Muslim League to prevail and put Sharif on track to another term as prime minister due to the disadvantages faced by his party.

Along with Khan being in prison and accruing more criminal convictions, election officials and police blocked his party from holding rallies and opening campaign offices, and its online events were blocked. The PTI said the moves were intended to prevent them from competing in the election and gaining momentum with voters.

The partial results released Friday showed the Pakistan People's Party of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the son of the assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, in third place with 44 seats. Final results were expected by Friday night.

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