Pakistan Elections 2024 LIVE: Imran Khan's Party Launches Protest Over 'Rigged Results' On Several Seats
Pakistan Elections 2024 LIVE: Please follow this space for all the updates coming straight from the political battleground of Pakistan.
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Pakistan Elections 2024 LIVE: Hello and welcome to this space brought to you by ABP Live. Stay tuned for all the updates coming straight from the political battleground of Pakistan.
Pakistan is set to hold national polls on Thursday, February 8, amidst political unrest, a resurgence of militancy, and economic instability. Voting will occur at 90,582 polling stations across the country from 9 AM to 5 PM (local time), with Pakistan relying on traditional ballot boxes rather than electronic voting machines (EVMs).
With a population of 241 million, 128 million individuals above the age of 18 are eligible to vote. A total of 5,121 candidates are vying for seats in the National Assembly, averaging a little over 19 candidates per seat. Of these candidates, 94% are male, with 312 female candidates and two transgender candidates.
Pakistan's National Assembly comprises 336 seats, with direct voting for 266 seats and 70 reserved seats (60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims).
After the elections, winning candidates join the National Assembly, while Independents have the option to align with any party post-results. The National Assembly conducts a parliamentary vote to choose the leader of the house, subsequently becoming the country's prime minister.
To form a government, a party must secure a clear majority in the house, requiring the support of at least 169 members. Over 160 political parties are registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan, with major contenders including Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari.
Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, currently faces imprisonment and a ban on contesting polls. Candidates from his party, denied the use of its election symbol, are running as independents in this election.
Despite Khan's significant grassroots following, recent setbacks for his party and Nawaz Sharif's resurgence in the political arena suggest a predetermined outcome for the general elections, with experts pointing to Sharif as the primary contender for the prime minister's post, a position he has held thrice in the past.
Karachi Police Use Tear Gas, Batons At TLP Protest Rally
Karachi police had to resort to tear gas and batons at a rally of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) against alleged rigging, Dawn reported.
ECP Orders Re-polling At Some Booths In NA-88, PS-18, PK-90 On Feb 15
The ECP ordered re-polling on February 15 at polling booths of NA-88 (Khushab II), PS-18 (Ghotki I), and PK-90 (Kohat I) after alleged rigging, Dawn reported.
Imran Khan's Party Launches Protest Over 'Rigged Results' On Several Seats
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party workers launched protests against the delay in election results, "rigging and manipulation" at several seats across Peshawar and Karachi. They resorted to loud sloganeering and waving of party flags, news agency PTI reported.
Imran Khan's Party Warns Protest If Results Not Declared By Midnight
Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party pressed the Election Commission to declare complete poll results by midnight or brace for protests in areas where outcomes are still pending, news agency PTI reported.
No Official Conversation With Other Parties On Coalition, Says Bilawal
PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that his party has not engaged in any formal discussions with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or any other political entities regarding the prospect of forming a coalition. In an interview with Geo News, he said that the PPP recognises its inability to secure a government independently.
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