Thousands of protesters have blocked highways and started a daylong strike to demonstrate against the results of last week’s general election in Pakistan. The demonstrations on February 12 follow the announcement of the final results from the February 8 vote, with tensions high amid claims of vote rigging and tampering, and intense uncertainty over the formation of the next government.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and its affiliates won the most seats in the final tally published on February 11, securing 95 of 264 seats. Ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party came second with 75 seats.
Complex negotiations are ongoing over forming a coalition government that will pick the country’s next prime minister since no one party won a majority. With dozens of constituency results facing challenges in court, Pakistan has weeks of political uncertainty ahead.
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