Delayed final election results in Pakistan provokes tension, concerns

Concerns about worsening political situation in Pakistan mounted as the announcement of the final results were delayed four days after the parliamentary elections.

Despite no clear-majority win, the major parties and main rivals of the election, the allies of the Tehreek-e-Insaf Party led by Imran Khan and the Muslim League Party of Nawaz led by Nawaz Sharif, have both declared victory.

According to the latest announcement by the election commission, independents have won 101 seats, 96 of them backed by Imran Khan’s PTI. Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN has won 75 while the third position has gone to Pakistan People’s Party with 54 seats.

In the meantime, reports of irregularities in the election process have provoked reactions of a number of countries and international organizations.

The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union have separately expressed concern over Pakistan’s election process and called for an investigation into reported irregularities.

According to a statement by the European Union, “the lack of grounds for equal competition” is attributed to the “inability of some political actors in the electoral competition”. The statement has criticized the restriction of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and access to the Internet in the country.

Referring to violence and attacks on media workers in Pakistan, the US State Department has warned of the existence of “unnecessary restrictions” and limitations on freedom of expression and free assembly in this Asian country.