PTI accuses by-elections of fraud, plans protest movement

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused the recent by-elections held on 21 national and provincial seats of being 'fraudulent'. PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan, along with other party leaders, labeled the by-poll results as rigged and announced a nationwide protest against the alleged electoral malpractice. Khan claimed that the suspension of internet and mobile services was used as a tactic to manipulate the voting process. He also highlighted an instance where a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate reportedly received more votes than Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, suggesting foul play.

The PTI has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to refrain from notifying results in constituencies where rigging complaints have been lodged and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. The party plans to kick off a protest movement starting from Faisalabad on Friday under the banner of 'Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-Aayin-e-Pakistan', a platform aimed at safeguarding the Constitution and the rule of law.

Following the unofficial results of the by-elections, the PML-N emerged victorious on most national and provincial assembly seats, securing two out of five National Assembly seats and 10 out of 16 provincial legislature seats. Other parties like the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sunni Ittehad Council, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) also clinched victories in the provincial assemblies.

The allegations of electoral fraud by the PTI have sparked a wave of discontent, leading to plans for a nationwide protest against the perceived rigging. With calls for a transparent investigation into the by-poll results, the political landscape in Pakistan remains tense as parties gear up for potential confrontations over the disputed electoral outcomes.