ISLAMABAD: The recent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in various cities across the country highlight growing concerns over alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections. In Rawalpindi, demonstrators gathered outside the district election commissioner’s office, where clashes with police reportedly ensued, resulting in the use of tear gas and baton charges to disperse the protesters.

Similarly, PTI workers staged protests outside the Sukkur Press Club and the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) Sindh office, expressing dissatisfaction with the electoral process.

Furthermore, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Balochistan Emir Abdul Haq Hashmi voiced his party’s frustration with the election results, accusing the Election Commission of Pakistan of facilitating massive rigging.

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Hashmi claimed that certain parties were being favored while others, like his own, were being marginalized from the National Assembly and the Senate, suggesting a deliberate plan at play. He called on the ECP to rectify the situation and ensure that all parties receive their rightful representation.

Hashmi’s remarks underscore broader concerns within the political landscape regarding the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

The allegations of rigging and disenfranchisement of certain parties highlight the need for accountability and reform within Pakistan’s electoral system to uphold democratic principles and ensure equal opportunities for all political actors.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has intensified its demands for the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and other members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), alleging constitutional violations.

The PTI spokesperson emphasized that following their majority win in the 2024 general elections, they have the right to form the government at the federal level.

The party claims that despite alleged rigging and attempts to impose the Pakistan Democratic Movement-2 (PDM-2) agenda, the people have rejected dishonest parties through their votes.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a PTI leader, reiterated the party’s determination to form the government in the center, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He mentioned that decisions regarding alliances, such as with Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) to secure reserved seats, would be announced soon. Khan emphasized that the government would be formed by parties with a majority, asserting PTI’s clear majority with a historic victory in 170 seats.

The unofficial results released by the ECP indicate a diverse distribution of seats among various political parties and independent candidates.

Independent candidates lead with 95 seats, followed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 79 seats, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) with 54 seats. Other parties such as MQM-P, IPP, BNP, JUI-F, PML-Q, MWM, PML-Z, PMAP, and PNAP have also secured seats in the National Assembly.

The ongoing political dynamics reflect a contestation over the electoral process’s fairness and transparency, with PTI and other parties expressing concerns and making demands for institutional changes.