Rigging allegations saga: PTI challenges 35 NA constituencies

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) saw a 104 per cent increase in election-rigging complaints in 2024 compared to 2018. With a record 612 complaints received regarding the results of 151 constituencies, concerns over electoral integrity are escalating.

According to the details obtained by the Hum Investigation Team (HIT) exclusively on constituencies and candidates who went into litigation, In 2013, the ECP received 411 complaints from various constituencies related to the election results, challenging 80 constituencies across the country.

As per details, in the 2024 election, PTI-backed Independent challenged the results of 35 different constituencies of the National Assembly, and Pakistan Muslim League-N challenged 19 different constituencies of the National and Provincial Assembly. Similarly, candidates of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) have challenged the results of 13 different constituencies. Moreover, the data shows that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has challenged nine, ANP three, and BNP one National and Provincial Assembly constituencies.

In addition, party candidates and some independent candidates have challenged the results of 27 provincial and national assembly constituencies, a total of 69 in Punjab, 47 in KP, 10 in Sindh, 22 in Balochistan, and three in Islamabad.

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As per the data, the 50 constituencies of the National Assembly, which have been challenged, include 24 from Punjab, 15 from Pakhtunkhwa, 5 from Sindh, and three each from Balochistan and Islamabad. The statistics show that 32 provincial and national assembly constituencies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been challenged, 19 constituencies of the Balochistan Assembly, and 5 different constituencies of the Sindh Assembly have been challenged.

Punjab

At least 45 constituencies from Punjab for the national and provincial assemblies have been challenged in the Election Tribunal. The data revealed that 32 were supported by the PTI and 7 by the PML-N. While PPP candidates have challenged the results of their constituencies, four independent candidates have also challenged the results of their constituencies in the Punjab Assembly.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

At least 32 constituencies from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for national and provincial assembly have been challenged in the Election Tribunal; data shows that PTI-supported candidates have won 11; JUI Fazal has won six; ANP has won two; and PPP has won one. The PML-N candidates have challenged four different constituencies.

Balochistan

At least 19 constituencies from Balochistan for national and provincial assemblies have been challenged in the Election Tribunal. The data further reveals that Balochistan Awami Party National, Azad Omidwar, National Party, and PML-N have challenged the results of their constituencies by two candidates, J. UI Fazal; three supported candidates of Pakistan People’s Party challenged the results of their constituencies; and PTI and HDP have challenged one constituency each from Balochistan.

Sindh

At least five provincial and national assembly constituencies from Sindh for national and provincial assemblies have been challenged in the Election Tribunal. Data shows that JUI Fazal has won two, while candidates supported by the PPP and PTI have challenged one constituency each.