GG News Bureau
Islamabad, 17th Feb. Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), raised serious allegations on Friday, claiming that at least 85 parliamentary seats won by them were unjustly taken through rigging. They declared the outcome of Pakistan’s recent elections as tainted by what they termed as the “biggest voter fraud” in the nation’s history, targeting both their party and successful candidates.
The PTI, founded by the renowned cricketer-turned-politician, expressed deep disappointment over the February 8 polls, asserting that the elections would be remembered for the extensive scale of vote rigging.
Following the polling, which took place a week ago, Pakistan finds itself in a political limbo with no clear indication of a government formation, amidst financial constraints. Independent candidates backed by Imran Khan’s PTI secured the majority of seats in the 266-member National Assembly, despite no single party achieving a clear majority.
Counting of votes was abruptly suspended on the polling night, prompting PTI to allege rigging. Subsequently, the party has continuously accused the establishment of employing incorrect procedures to declare PTI’s rivals as winners.
On Friday, reports emerged of a fresh crackdown, purportedly by the Pakistan Army, targeting PTI members in an effort to coerce winners into switching allegiance to parties supported by the powerful military.
Amidst speculations of a coalition government involving Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and four smaller parties, the PTI remained adamant in their claims of electoral fraud.
During a press conference later in the day, PTI’s Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan disclosed, “According to our estimates, out of 177 [National Assembly] seats, which were supposed to be ours, only 92 have been given to us. And 85 seats have been taken away from us fraudulently.” Hasan stated that the party was pursuing constitutional and legal avenues to address the issue, presenting detailed statistical analyses and evidence of alleged rigging.
The PTI’s accusations mirrored those made by Imran Khan and the party throughout the election period and afterward, with claims of widespread irregularities and unfair practices in the electoral process. Prominent leaders within the PTI echoed sentiments of electoral malpractice, condemning what they perceive as a subversion of the democratic process. Throughout the day, the party’s official platforms continued to highlight nationwide protests against the alleged rigging, further intensifying political tensions in the country.
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