Pakistan election results favour Khan-backed candidates

According to the final results, Independent candidates supported by the PTI party of imprisoned ex-prime minister Imran Khan are now leading in Pakistan's general election.

Independents secured 101 seats in the National Assembly. An investigation reveals that 93 of the cPTI endorsed 93 of the candidates that received support, surpassing the number of seats gained by the PMLN, led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who got 75 seats. It remains uncertain who will take charge of the government.

Amid ongoing disputes, unsuccessful independent candidates have inundated the courts with accusations of electoral manipulation.

Both the PTI, barred from participating in the election, and Mr Sharif's PMLN expressed their desire to establish the next administration.

The outcome was unexpected, as many analysts anticipated Mr. Sharif's party, which is generally believed to have the support of the influential military, would emerge victorious.

This prediction was based on the fact that Mr. Khan had been imprisoned on several accusations, including corruption and an unlawful marriage, and his party was disqualified from participating in the election.

To rule, a candidate must demonstrate leadership over a coalition with a straightforward majority of 169 members in the National Assembly.

Bilawal Bhutto of the PPP, which garnered the third highest number of votes, has said they have not engaged in any official deliberations with Imran Khan's PTI or Nawaz Sharif's PMLN. However, the PMLN has said that Mr Bhutto's father did indeed have a casual encounter with Mr Sharif's brother in Lahore.

The MQM party, headquartered in Karachi, has made a remarkable comeback in the elections, securing 17 seats. It has the potential to contribute to a coalition government.

The National legislature has 366 members, with 266 seats determined by direct vote. The remaining 70 seats are reserved, with 60 seats allotted explicitly for women and 10 seats for non-Muslims. These reserved seats are allocated based on the respective party's strength in the legislature.

According to Pakistan's regulations, independent candidates cannot receive reserved parliamentary seats.

The chairman of the PTI called for peaceful demonstrations outside the electoral commission's headquarters, expressing concern over the authenticity of the election results.

On Saturday, Mr Sharif, believed to have the military's support, appealed to other political groups to assist him in establishing a coalition administration.

On Sunday, law enforcement authorities cordoned off the streets around the election commission headquarters in Rawalpindi in preparation for potential demonstrations. Meanwhile, police in Islamabad announced their intention to take appropriate measures against any protestors.

The election proves Imran Khan's support against the odds

As cautioned by experts, Pakistan is at risk of experiencing an extended period of political instability.

According to Dr Farzana Shaikh from the Chatham House think tank, it is improbable that the Khan-linked independent candidates would be permitted to establish a government. Many individuals are concerned that a partnership between Mr Sharif and the PPP might lead to a weak and unstable coalition.

Meanwhile, at least six candidates supported by PTI who were unsuccessful in securing their seats have filed legal petitions in the courts to invalidate the election results.

One of the individuals is Yasmin Rashid, who opposed Mr Sharif in Lahore. The petitioners claim that a coordinated effort was made to manipulate the election results by tampering with specified documents.

Pakistani authorities have refuted any allegations of misconduct.