Pakistan Media reports good showing by Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed candidates

ISLAMABAD: As the counting of votes is underway for the Pakistan  general elections held on Thursday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported candidates have put up a good performance going early trends reported by Pakistan media. However the continued delay in election result announcements have set of speculations of alleged rigging, Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported.

PTI-backed candidate Shoaib Shaheen has secured victory with 11,729 votes in Islamabad's NA-47 constituency. He has secured the lead over Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Fazl Chaudhry who received 11,504 votes as per unofficial and unconfirmed results, The Express Tribune reported.

PTI-supported Waseem Qadir has emerged victorious with 78,703 votes in Lahore's NA-121 constituency. He secured a lead over PML-N leader Sheikh Rohail Asgher, who received 70,597 votes, according to The Express Tribune report.

According to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), PTI-backed independent candidates Muhammad Abdul Salam and Sultan Room have secured victory in their seats from PK-58 Mardan and PK-9 Swat.

PTI-backed candidate Fazal Muhammad Khan has emerged victorious as he got 100,713 votes. He secured a lead over Awami National Party (ANP) leader Aimal Wali Khan, who received 67,876 votes in Charsadda's NA-25, The Express Tribune reported.

PTI-backed independent candidate Ali Khan Jadoon has emerged victories in National Assembly constituency NA-17 Abbottabad-II as he bagged 97,177 votes. According to the unofficial and unconfirmed results, he secured lead over Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Muhabbat Khan, who garnered 44,522 votes, according to The Express Tribune report.

Earlier, PTI alleged that the mandate of people of Pakistan is being stolen. Imran Khan's party said that every independent result showed PTI winning by a landslide despite pre-poll rigging and oppression.

PTI stated that the votes of each candidate are tabulated at each polling station on the Form 45. Imran Khan's party mentioned that copies of these forms have been collected by PTI candidate's polling agents, which show them winning by large majority. However, returning officers are now manipulating the results using Form 47.

In a statement released on X, PTI stated, "Let the world know that the clear and overwhelming mandate of the people of Pakistan is being stolen. Despite unprecedented pre poll rigging & oppression, there was a record, massive turnout on polling day. Every independent result showed PTI winning by a landslide. Form 45s are the primary source of election results at the lowest level."

"The votes for each candidate are tabulated at each polling station on the Form 45. Copies of these forms have been collected by PTI candidates' polling agents, which show them winning by a large majority. However, Returning Officers are now manipulating the results using Form 47, which is a summary of all the Forms 45 from each polling station," it added.

PTI alleged that there are reports of the polling agents getting abducted and forced to sign fake Form 45s. Imran Khan's party said that it has video evidence of rigging. It said that the people of Pakistan would not accept the "rigged elections."

In the statement posted on X, PTI stated, "Furthermore, there are reports of the polling agents getting abducted & forced to sign fake Form 45s. As per Election Act, it is mandatory to issue results (Form 47) by 2:00 am. Presence of candidate and their polling agents is also mandatory during counting & compilation of process of Form 47. However, both these requirements were not fulfilled. Reports are coming in of PTI nominated candidates losing suddenly in various constituencies now, after they had already won by a clear majority."

"PTI has certified Form 45s, which prove the fraud taking place. PTI also has video evidence of rigging. Neither PTI nor the people of Pakistan will accept these massively rigged results. Manipulation of the people's mandate will only lead to more chaos & further instability," it added.

PTI posted several videos of its workers and candidates claiming that returning officers were indulging in wide-scale rigging despite independent candidates backed by PTI securing victory.

PTI also shared visuals of a polling station and mentioned that Returning Officer's Office rangers and army are deployed outside while presiding officer Form 45 is being thrown.

Polling for general elections in Pakistan concluded amid allegations of rigging and the shutdown of cellular and internet services, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The voting process began at 8 am and continued till 5 pm.

Pakistan's caretaker government had assured Pakistanis that network connectivity would not be affected during the election day. However, just before the beginning of voting on Thursday, mobile internet services were shut down 'temporarily'.