2018 Pakistani general election

2018 Pakistani general election
Erinthecute · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Election name	2018 Pakistani general election
Country	Pakistan
Type	general
Previous election	2013 Pakistani general election
Next election	2023 Pakistani general election

2018 Pakistani general election was a significant event in the History of Pakistan, marking a transition of power from the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The election was held on July 25, 2018, with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerging as the largest party in the National Assembly of Pakistan. The election was also notable for the participation of various political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Background

The 2018 Pakistani general election was held in the context of a complex political landscape, with the Supreme Court of Pakistan having disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in the Panama Papers case. This led to a significant shift in the political dynamics of the country, with the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) facing challenges from other parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Pakistan Peoples Party. The election was also influenced by the role of the Inter-Services Intelligence and the Pakistan Army, with some parties accusing them of interfering in the electoral process. The Election Commission of Pakistan played a crucial role in overseeing the election, with Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan ensuring the smooth conduct of the polls.

Election Campaign

The election campaign was marked by intense competition between the major political parties, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf focusing on its anti-corruption agenda and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) highlighting its development record. The Pakistan Peoples Party campaigned on a platform of social and economic justice, while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement emphasized the need for greater autonomy for the provinces. The campaign also saw the participation of various smaller parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), and the Awami National Party. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority played a key role in regulating the media coverage of the election, with Dawn News, Geo News, and Express News providing extensive coverage of the campaign.

Conduct of the Election

The conduct of the election was overseen by the Election Commission of Pakistan, with the Pakistan Army providing security support. The election was held on July 25, 2018, with voters casting their ballots in National Assembly constituencies across the country. The Election Commission of Pakistan used a Electronic Voting Machine in some constituencies, while manual counting was used in others. The European Union Election Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Observer Group observed the election, with the United States Department of State and the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office also issuing statements on the conduct of the polls. The International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute provided technical assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Results

The results of the election saw the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerging as the largest party in the National Assembly of Pakistan, with Imran Khan becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) came second, while the Pakistan Peoples Party finished third. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Jamaat-e-Islami also won seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan. The Balochistan Awami Party and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal emerged as significant players in the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan and the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Punjab Assembly and the Sindh Assembly also saw significant changes, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf forming alliances with other parties to form governments.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the election saw Imran Khan forming a coalition government with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), and the Balochistan Awami Party. The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) formed an alliance in the National Assembly of Pakistan, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif becoming key opposition leaders. The Supreme Court of Pakistan also played a significant role in the aftermath of the election, with Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar overseeing various cases related to the election. The National Accountability Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency also launched investigations into allegations of corruption and electoral irregularities.

Controversies

The election was marred by various controversies, including allegations of electoral fraud and vote rigging. The Election Commission of Pakistan faced criticism for its handling of the election, with some parties accusing it of bias towards the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The Pakistan Army also faced allegations of interfering in the electoral process, with some parties accusing it of supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The European Union Election Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Observer Group noted various irregularities in their reports, while the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Free and Fair Election Network also raised concerns about the conduct of the election. The United Nations Development Programme and the Asian Development Bank provided technical assistance to the Election Commission of Pakistan to improve the electoral process. Category:2018 elections