New Delhi / Islamabad: Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan is on the verge of victory after millions of Pakistanis voted on Wednesday to elect a new government. In his first address to Pakistan after getting massive lead, Imran Khan talked of several key issues facing the nation including poverty and health issues. He also referred to the relations with China and India saying the country could follow China's example in many ways. He also said he was keen to fix ties with India.
The tense general election in Pakistan was marred by allegations of military interference and a series of deadly attacks. Up to 8 lakh police and military forces were stationed at more than 85,000 polling stations across the country as the voting took place. Wednesday's election was only the second democratic transition of power in Pakistan's 70-year coup-studded history. Pakistan is a country of approximately 207 million people, out of which the number of registered voters are about 106 million.
More than 3,000 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly, while some 8,000 candidates ran for 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies - Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Pak-occupied Balochistan. The three key parties contesting were former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) or PML-N, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI, and former (late) prime minister Benazir Bhutto's party Pakistan Peoples Party, which is being headed by her son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The contest is said to be a close one between Nawaz Sharif's party and Imran Khan's party. The counting of votes began soon after polling was concluded and results are expected to be announced within 24 hours. The Election Commission has blamed delays in the results on technical failures and promised to investigate complaints.
Here are the LIVE updates of the Pakistan General Election Result 2018:
Jul 26, 2018 21:07 (IST)
Imran Khan's party is leading in 120 of 272 contested National Assembly constituencies. Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was ahead in 61 constituencies, and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto, the son of assassinated two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, led in 40 constituencies.
Jul 26, 2018 20:54 (IST)
Final results will come out within 24 hours. There is no delay. 90 per cent of results have been announced by Returning Officers in the field. we have received 82 per cent out of it: Election Commission of Pakistan
Jul 26, 2018 20:53 (IST)
"Free and fair elections have been conducted. Turnout has been impressive, we will share the numbers tomorrow," Election Commission of Pakistan said today, news agency ANI reported
Jul 26, 2018 18:03 (IST)
Cleanest Election In History Of Pakistan: Imran Khan
"400 petitions on rigging were filed after previous polls. I had vouched for the issue to be addressed for clean polls this time. We would assist and help investigate claims of rigging": Imran Khan
Jul 26, 2018 17:35 (IST)
Imran Khan is now addressing Pakistan after getting massive lead in general elections.
Jul 26, 2018 17:34 (IST)
China has said it is ready to work with the new government in Pakistan irrespective of the results. "Friendship between China and Pakistan is supported by the people of the two countries. Regardless of the result of the election, the development of bilateral ties will not be affected," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Jul 26, 2018 14:13 (IST)
Imran Khan's party is leading in 119 of 272 contested National Assembly constituencies. Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was ahead in 63 constituencies, and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto, the son of assassinated two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, led in 38 constituencies.
