2018 Pakistani general election

2018 Pakistani general election
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Election name	2018 Pakistani general election
Country	Pakistan
Type	parliamentary
Previous election	2013 Pakistani general election
Previous year	2013
Next election	2024 Pakistani general election
Next year	2024
Seats for election	272 seats in the National Assembly
Majority seats	137
Election date	25 July 2018
Turnout	51.7%

2018 Pakistani general election The 2018 Pakistani general election was a nationwide parliamentary election to elect members to the National Assembly of Pakistan, held on 25 July 2018. The contest featured major parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), and Pakistan Peoples Party, and followed significant developments involving the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Election Commission of Pakistan, and Pakistan Army. The election outcomes reshaped the federal coalition landscape and led to formation of a new federal administration.

Background

The election occurred after the dissolution of the National Assembly of Pakistan following the completion of the five-year term that began after the 2013 Pakistani general election. Political dynamics were influenced by legal actions involving leaders from Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), notably Nawaz Sharif, whose disqualification by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and subsequent conviction affected PML-N strategy. The political environment included tensions between civilian institutions and the Inter-Services Intelligence, and debates in the Parliament of Pakistan over electoral reforms. Economic issues referenced by parties invoked the International Monetary Fund, State Bank of Pakistan, and fiscal conditions tied to the CPEC initiatives associated with China–Pakistan Economic Corridor partners. Regional security concerns centered on events in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with polling preparedness coordinated by the Caretaker Government of Pakistan and the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.

Electoral system

The fill of the National Assembly of Pakistan used a mixed electoral system combining first-past-the-post contests in single-member constituencies and proportional allocation of reserved seats for women and minorities under rules established by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Constituency boundaries followed delimitations conducted after the 2017 Census of Pakistan, overseen by the Chief Census Commissioner of Pakistan. Campaign finance and candidate nominations were regulated under the Election Act, 2017 and monitored alongside procedures from the Constitution of Pakistan. Security for the polls involved coordination between the Inspector General of Police in each province, the Pakistan Army, and the Federal Investigation Agency to secure polling stations across Punjab, Pakistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

Campaigns and parties

Major national campaigns were led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf under Imran Khan (politician), Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) under leaders associated with Maryam Nawaz, and Pakistan Peoples Party under Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari. Allied and regional parties such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Balochistan Awami Party, Grand Democratic Alliance, Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) and Grand Democratic Alliance contested provincial battlegrounds. Civil society organizations, including Free and Fair Election Network and local chapters of Transparency International, monitored messaging and voter mobilization. Media outlets such as Geo News, DAWN (newspaper), The News International, and ARY News covered rallies and televised debates, while campaign controversies involved allegations referred to the National Accountability Bureau and petitions brought to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Opinion polls and predictions

Opinion polling by organizations such as Gallup Pakistan, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency, and private survey firms produced varied predictions, with many forecasting gains for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and declines for Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). International observers, including delegations with ties to the European Union and the Commonwealth of Nations, issued pre-election assessments, and analysts referenced past voting patterns from the 2013 Pakistani general election and provincial results in 2015 Pakistani local elections. Pundits from Al Jazeera bureaus and commentaries in BBC News and The Economist debated the impact of judicial decisions involving Nawaz Sharif on voter sentiment.

Election day and conduct

Polling on 25 July 2018 proceeded under operational plans by the Election Commission of Pakistan with security deployments supervised by provincial Chief Ministers and coordinated with the Pakistan Army. Reports of disruptions, voter turnout variations, and logistical challenges were documented by domestic NGOs like Free and Fair Election Network and international media such as Reuters and Associated Press. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf claimed victories across key constituencies amid accusations by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Peoples Party of irregularities, which led to disputes lodged with the Election Tribunal system and petitions considered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Results

Preliminary results indicated a plurality win for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, with significant seat gains in Punjab, Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) retained influence in some Punjab constituencies, while Pakistan Peoples Party maintained strength in Sindh. Reserved-seat allocations adjusted representation in the National Assembly of Pakistan according to the Election Commission of Pakistan formula. International reactions came from the United Nations, United States Department of State, and neighboring countries including India and Afghanistan, all commenting on the electoral process and outcomes.

Aftermath and government formation

Following the results, coalition negotiations involved parties such as Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, Balochistan Awami Party, and independents to secure a majority in the National Assembly of Pakistan. Imran Khan (politician) emerged as the principal candidate for Prime Minister and was elected with backing from allied factions, while opposition alliances organized parliamentary strategy under leaders like Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Post-election judicial reviews and election petitions proceeded through the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Election Tribunals, and subsequent cabinet appointments included technocrats and ministers from allied parties. The new administration engaged with institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and diplomatic missions in Islamabad to address policy priorities and external relations.

Category:General elections in Pakistan Category:2018 elections Category:Politics of Pakistan