- Polling process remains largely peaceful with sporadic violent and terror incidents
- Armed Forces felicitate nation on violence-free conduct of general elections
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Though the initial synopsis of the election results shows independent candidates leading on majority of national and provincial assemblies seats, the nation eagerly awaiting complete results following the conclusion of polling, which largely remained peaceful with sporadic incidents of violence across the country.
The political forces and election observers have questioned the inordinate delay in the release of election results despite polling concluded at 5pm. Even after a lapse of more than seven hours, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not given any reason for the delay leading to the expression of suspicions from contesting parties.
Prior to the elections, the electoral watchdog had introduced a new system called the Election Management System (EMS) to organize the results, but so far, the performance of the system has belied the ECP claims.
ECP officials had informed the media before the elections that if results could also be sent via the Internet, presiding officers would themselves collect the results and take them to the returning officers.
State TV, private channels, and local media initiated the process of results announcement, but progress has been slow, with results from certain constituencies in Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa still pending.
Although results are coming in from interior Sindh, the results in the provincial capital and the country’s largest city, Karachi, are emerging at a slow pace.
Similarly, in the largest province of the country, Punjab, results are also being received slowly. The wait for results is ongoing from KP and Balochistan. Concerns and reservations have been expressed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf regarding this delay.
CEC commends successful election
Following the conclusion of polling in the evening, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja expressed his gratitude and congratulated the nation on the successful conduct of the election.
In a special message, he thanked the people of Pakistan for fulfilling their constitutional and national responsibility, state news channel PTV reported.
Sultan Raja extended his appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the electoral process, including federal and provincial caretaker governments, political parties, security agencies, police, civil administration, Pakistan Army, media, voters, polling staff and election members and their staff.
He expressed confidence in the responsible conduct of the returning officers and urged them to fulfill their duties diligently, ensuring timely ordering and delivery of results.
Armed Forces felicitate nation on peaceful elections
Earlier, the Armed Forces of the country on Thursday extended heartfelt felicitations to the nation on generally peaceful and violence-free conduct of general elections.
“The armed forces alongside other Law Enforcement Agencies are proud to have played a pivotal role in providing security during the conduct of the sacred electoral process, in aid of civil power, and in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan,” an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.
With the deployment of 137,000 army personnel and civil armed forces at approximately 6,000 selected most sensitive polling stations and over 7800 quick response force teams (QRFs), a safe and secure environment for the public was ensured,” it added.
Despite 51 cowardly terrorist attacks, mostly in KP and Balochistan, aimed at disrupting the electoral process, the soldiers remained resolute and effectively ensured peace and security across Pakistan. As many as 12 people (including 10 personnel of security forces and law enforcement agencies) embraced, Shahadat, and 39 others have been injured in these attacks.
Through proactive intelligence manoeuvres and swift action, many potential threats were neutralized, underscoring the unwavering commitment of our security agencies to protect the democratic rights of our citizens.
During various operations, 5 Terrorists were also killed. “Gratitude is owed to other law enforcement agencies that worked hand in hand with the armed forces to safeguard the democratic process.
It is our fervent hope that our sacrifices will not be in vain and this election will serve as a catalyst for further strengthening democracy in Pakistan and that it will pave the way for the realization of the aspirations of the people of Pakistan,” it said.
The armed forces remain dedicated to upholding peace and security in the country and stand ready to provide unwavering support in safeguarding the democratic traditions of our state, the ISPR said.
Massive turnout of persons with disabilities witnessed
In constituencies 47 and 48 massive turnout of minorities was witnessed on Thursday as many persons with disabilities (PWDs) came out of their houses to cast votes.
According to the presiding officer of the constituency of 47, the turnout of the females was almost 60 percent and the women cast their votes peacefully, “We have separate corners for the senior citizens and the person with disabilities for the general election”.
She said that it was witnessed that PWDs were eager to vote for their leaders.
A senior citizen Bashiran Manzoor mother-in-law of a person with disabilities named Huma Faisal said both the ladies came to cast their vote for the better future of the country.
She said that it is our national obligation to cast a vote for our country’s progress.
Seven security personnel martyred in KP, Balochistan
At least seven security personnel were martyred in separate attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on Thursday, officials said.
As per details, the explosion occurred in Garah Aslam area of Kulachi which targeted a police vehicle. According to police officials, the dead bodies and injured have been transferred via a helicopter to DI Khan.
According to police, four police officials were martyred in an attack on a police patrol in ID Khan area.
Local police chief Rauf Qaisrani said that bomb blasts and firing targeted a police convoy in the Kulachi area, adding the area had been cordoned off and further investigation was underway.
In a statement, interim KP Chief Minister Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah condemned the attacks in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan. Media reports said one person was killed in a firing incident in Tank, although no official has commented on the exact number of casualties or the nature of the incident.
The chief minister said that such incidents would not deter police from performing their duties, affirming that the nation and the state were standing with the law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile, two Levies and police personnel were martyred in Balochistan’s Kharan area. Kharan Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed Soomro told the media that the incident occurred when a Levies vehicle hit a landmine on the way to a polling station.
The official said seven security personnel were injured in the incident. Those in critical condition have been moved to Quetta, DC Soomro added.
Mohsin Dawar writes letter to CEC
Meanwhile, National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman and former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja regarding the “very serious and concerning security situation in Tappi, North Waziristan in NA-40”.
The letter, which was posted on Dawar’s account on X, stated that militants had been issuing threats to locals and the polling staff in the constituency.
“Three of our female polling agents very narrowly escaped attacks […] in the morning of the polling day on Feb 8,” he said, claiming that the “Taliban in the area have taken control of the polling stations”.
Dawar further stated that he had written a letter regarding the situation to the district returning officer but said it was “ignored”.
“The election commission has to take urgent notice of the situation and take necessary action to ensure the safety of the locals and the polling staff,” he added.
Four receive bullet wounds in NA-59
In Chakwal, at least four people received bullet injuries during an armed clash between two groups at an election camp of a political party in NA-59 Chakwal constituency.
As per details, the incident took place outside a polling station in Akwal area. Meanwhile, the voting process was halted temporarily at the polling station. Rescue officials shifted the injured to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Talagang.
Arrest warrant for 114 govt employees in Karachi
Furthermore, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered the arrest of 114 government employees of East Zone in Karachi for violating the orders of the commission and wilful absence from election duty.
Returning Officer (East Zone) Ghulam Azfar Mahesar issued the arrest warrant. He informed the DIG East and SSP East to form teams and conduct raids throughout the night to arrest the absentee staff.
The DIG East said that the polling material has not yet been received by the polling staff, which may disrupt the election process and affect the compliance with national work in the general elections. He said that it is a violation of the effective electoral process of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and that the absentee staff will be arrested in any case.
The accused include polling staff of provincial and national constituencies, lecturer engineers and senior officers of Karachi University, senior school college teachers, auditors, SBCA officers and officers belonging to various departments of Sindh government. The DIG East said that action will be taken as per the orders of the ECP.
Clash between political parties’ workers in Attock’s NA-49
On the other hand, tensions escalated in constituency NA-49 in Attock as clashes erupted between supporters of the PML-N and PTI, leading to suspension of polling activities temporarily at Govt Boys High School Bhangi Hazrao and Polling Station UC Office Northopa.
Later, the workers of the PML-N and PTI were forced out from the polling stations, causing a delay of approximately five hours before voting could resume at both locations.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, law enforcement authorities dismantled a PTI camp in the Civil Lines area of Rawalpindi. PTI swiftly filed a petition with the Regional Police Officer (RoPP-19) in protest against the demolition of their candidate’s camp.
Mengal claims of authentic reports about fake Form 45
Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Thursday claimed that he had authentic information regarding fake Form 45.
Akhtar Mengal alleged that anarchy was created at some polling station and Election Commission needs to look into the issue.
However, responding to the BNP chief’s statement, Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai rejected the allegations.
He said that if Akhtar Mengal has proofs about fake Form 45, then he should produce it before the concerned authorities, otherwise avoid spreading the disinformation.
Independent candidate Daniyal Aziz arrested in Narowal
During polling, Narowal witnessed a dramatic turn of events as independent candidate Daniyal Aziz Chaudhry was apprehended in NA-75, prompting his wife Mahnaz Akbar Aziz to speak out, alleging her husband’s abduction.
According to reports, Daniyal Aziz cast his vote earlier in the day before being detained by police. Mahnaz Akbar Aziz asserted that her husband was forcibly taken into custody and subjected to torture.
The arrest follows a notice issued by the Election Commission to Daniyal Aziz for violating the electoral code of conduct in NA-75 Narowal. The Election Commission convened on February 10, 2024, to address the matter, declaring that the final notification of Daniyal Aziz’s success in the general election would be contingent upon the Commission’s decision.
The decision was taken in the light of the findings of the District Monitoring Officer of Narowal, who reported repeated violations of the code of conduct by Daniyal Aziz, along with his failure to respond to issued notices or pay a fine of Rs50,000.
