President Arif Alvi has expressed his disappointment with the delay in declaring Pakistan’s election results and criticized the current crisis caused by the shortage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the February 8 general elections. The Election Management System (EMS) of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the announcement of preliminary results in all constituencies until approximately 72 hours before the polls close.
In a statement shared on social media platforms, President Alvi expressed regret that the previous PTI government’s efforts to promote EVMs were abandoned despite significant efforts, including holding 50 meetings during the president’s tenure. He highlighted the benefits of EVMs, stating that they can facilitate quick and accurate vote counting, providing results within minutes of the polls closing.
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Sindh PS over allegations of result manipulation. Jamiat-ul-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has accused the authorities of manipulating the results to the detriment of its candidates and has called for new elections in several areas to preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
In response to the election postponement, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to stage nationwide protests to ensure free voting. Independent candidates have reportedly taken the lead in 100 seats, raising concerns about the transparency of the election process.
The PTI’s main committee has convened to discuss the situation and recommend actions, including peaceful protests across the country, to address the current uncertainty. The committee has also reiterated its commitment to implementing decisions in consultation with PTI’s leadership.
As Pakistan awaits a resolution to the election controversy, stakeholders are calling for greater transparency and accountability to ensure fair and democratic results.