2018 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election

2018 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election was held on July 25, 2018, to elect the members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The election was part of the 2018 Pakistani general election, which included elections for the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Punjab Assembly, Sindh Assembly, and Balochistan Assembly. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, was the incumbent party in the province, with Pervez Khattak as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The election was contested by major parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N), led by Shehbaz Sharif, and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a coalition of Islamic parties.

Background

The 2018 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election was held in the context of the 2018 Pakistani general election, which was marked by a significant increase in voter turnout compared to the 2013 Pakistani general election. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was responsible for organizing and conducting the election, with the support of the Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies. The election was contested by a total of 34 parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and the Awami National Party (ANP), led by Asfandyar Wali Khan. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F) were also major contestants in the election.

Election Day

On July 25, 2018, millions of voters cast their ballots in the 2018 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election. The election was marked by a significant increase in voter turnout, with many voters waiting in long lines to cast their ballots. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reported that the election was largely peaceful, with some minor incidents of violence reported in certain areas. The Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies were deployed to maintain law and order during the election. The United Nations and other international organizations, including the European Union and the Commonwealth of Nations, sent observers to monitor the election.

Results

The results of the 2018 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election showed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had emerged as the largest party in the province, winning a total of 67 seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) came second, winning 10 seats, while the Awami National Party (ANP) won 7 seats. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won 5 and 4 seats, respectively. The results were seen as a significant victory for the PTI, which had campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption and good governance. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declared the results as free and fair, despite some allegations of irregularities by the losing parties.

Aftermath

The results of the 2018 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election led to the formation of a new government in the province, with Mehtab Abbasi as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed a coalition government with the support of smaller parties, including the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT). The opposition parties, including the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and the Awami National Party (ANP), alleged that the election had been rigged in favor of the PTI. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected these allegations, citing the presence of international observers and the use of electronic voting machines in some areas.

Candidates

The 2018 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial election featured a large number of candidates, including many prominent politicians. Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was a major contender in the election, although he did not contest a seat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Other notable candidates included Shehbaz Sharif, the president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N), and Asfandyar Wali Khan, the president of the Awami National Party (ANP). The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) fielded a large number of candidates, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the president of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F). The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also contested the election, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as its chairman. Category:2018 elections in Pakistan