The 2018 general elections in Pakistan saw former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan both declaring victory, despite being opposition candidates. The Free and Fair Election Network reported that about 100 winning candidates were Independents, with all but eight being backed by Imran Khan’s PTI party. Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N won 71 seats, while the PPP of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, son of Benazir Bhutto, won 53 seats. Amid allegations of rigging, Pakistan’s army chief congratulated the country for the “successful conduct” of the elections, stating that the nation needed “stable hands” to move on from the politics of “anarchy and polarisation”. The United States, Britain, and the European Union expressed concerns about the electoral process and urged a probe into reported irregularities. The vote counting was delayed by the Election Commission, leading to long waiting times for the results. Imran Khan’s PTI party called for a nationwide protest to protect the sanctity of the vote. Nawaz Sharif’s brother, Shehbaz Sharif, joined forces with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to form a coalition government, thwarting Imran Khan’s attempt at securing a majority.
Election Results: Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan both claim victory despite uncertain vote count
