Next Pakistani general election explained

Country:Pakistan
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2024 Pakistani general election
Previous Year:2024
Election Date:2029
Next Year:2034
Seats For Election:All 336 seats in the National Assembly
Majority Seats:169
Previous Mps:List of members of the 16th National Assembly of Pakistan
Image1:Shehbaz Sharif July 2024 (cropped).jpg
Leader1:Shehbaz Sharif
Party1:Pakistan Muslim League (N)
Last Election1:108 seats
Seats Needed1: 61
Leader2:Gohar Ali Khan
Party2:PTI
Last Election2:94 seats
Seats Needed2: 75
Image3:Bilawal - 2022 (52577074232) (cropped).jpg
Leader3:Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Party3:Pakistan Peoples Party
Last Election3:73 seats
Seats Needed3: 96
Prime Minister
Before Election:Shehbaz Sharif
Before Party:PML(N)

General elections in Pakistan are mandated to occur within 60 days following the term completion of the National Assembly, which is scheduled to complete on 28 February 2029. Thus, the election must take place by 29 April 2029 in normal circumstances. If the dissolution of the assembly occurs earlier, then elections must be held within 90 days after the dissolution. In the instance if assembly is dissolved on 27 February 2029, then elections must be held by 28 May 2029 (the furthest possible date if complied with the constitution).[1]

Background

The most recent general elections in Pakistan took place on 8 February 2024. During these elections, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML (N)) secured 108 seats, the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) secured 81 seats, and the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) secured 68 seats. This equation occurred after independents had joined various political parties and reserved seats had been allocated. On Election Day, independents won a total of 103 seats, with 93 unofficially backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). However, PTI candidates were unable to contest under the party banner due to the Election Commission of Pakistan's ruling that PTI had failed to conduct intra-party elections in accordance with the party's constitution. Subsequently, 81 members supported by PTI joined SIC after the election.[2]

On 3 March 2024, the election for the position of prime minister occurred. Shehbaz Sharif, representing PML (N), was re-elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second time, securing 201 votes compared to the 92 votes received by Omar Ayub Khan, an Independent candidate. As no single party in the assembly had a clear majority of 169 members, Sharif won with the combined support of PML (N) allies, major of them being the PPPP. Khan had backing from SIC members.[3]

On 3 March 2024, Gohar Ali Khan was elected unopposed as the chairman of PTI,[4] and took on the leadership role in accordance with the party's constitution.[5] On 2 April 2024, Omar Ayub Khan was designated as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan.[6]

A by-election for a combined total of 22 seats across the National Assembly and three provincial assemblies (Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) took place on 21 April 2024. PML (N) secured the most seats with 12 wins, while PPPP, SIC, and independent candidates each garnered 2 seats. Additionally, Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party (Mengal), and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party each claimed one victory.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chapter 2: Electoral Laws and Conduct of Elections. 1973. Pakistani.org. 1 March 2024. 18 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240318075100/https://pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part8.ch2.html. live.
  2. News: PML-N becomes largest party in National Assembly with 108 MNAs. Frontier Post. 24 February 2024. 25 February 2024. 24 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240224125550/https://thefrontierpost.com/pml-n-becomes-largest-party-in-national-assembly-with-108-mnas/. live.
  3. News: Shehbaz Sharif returns as prime minister for second time . 3 March 2024 . The News International . 3 March 2024 . 3 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240303073827/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1163935-shehbaz-sharif-vs-omar-ayub-khan-na-session-to-elect-pakistans-24th-premier-begins . live .
  4. News: Dawood Kakar elected as PTI Balochistan president. ARY. 3 March 2024. 2 April 2024. 17 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240317211315/https://arynews.tv/dawood-kakar-elected-as-pti-balochistan-president/. live.
  5. Web site: 8 June 2017 . PTI Constitution . 2 April 2024 . Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf . en . 14 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240314020946/http://insaf.pk/pti-constitution . live .
  6. News: Ex-PM Khan’s aide, Omar Ayub, appointed as opposition leader in Pakistan’s National Assembly. Arab News. 2 April 2024. 2 April 2024.
  7. News: By-Elections 2024 Result Dashboard. Dunya News. 21 April 2024. 2 May 2024.