The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, plans to stage a protest in Peshawar today, February 17th, 2024. This comes amidst allegations of widespread electoral rigging in the recent February 8th general elections, where the PTI claims it was unfairly denied victory.

The party contends that they were "supposed to win" 177 National Assembly seats but were "given only 92" due to fraudulent activities. Spokesperson Raoof Hasan outlined discrepancies in official forms, unusually high rejected vote counts, and alleged irregularities in specific constituencies as evidence of manipulation.

Lawyer Salman Akram Raja, who contested with PTI backing, termed the alleged rigging "a massive assault on democracy." He accuses officials of tampering with official forms and creating fictitious results, questioning the very legitimacy of the election.

Similar accusations resonated from other PTI candidates, with Ayaz Amir describing his constituency's returning officer office being sealed by police, effectively blocking oversight. Rehana Dar, mother of another PTI candidate, claimed her house was raided on political grounds.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has denied these allegations, maintaining the elections were conducted freely and fairly. They claim all complaints were investigated and no evidence of widespread fraud was found.

However, concerns extend beyond the PTI. Foreign and domestic observers expressed worries about potential electoral interference, including the detention of political activists. This underscores the need for a thorough and independent investigation to address these concerns and ensure public trust in future elections.

The protest in Peshawar marks a significant escalation in the PTI's efforts to challenge the election results. While the ECP denies wrongdoing, the party's claims and planned demonstration highlight the deeply contested nature of the recent polls and the potential for continued political instability in Pakistan. Whether the allegations hold weight or not, a transparent investigation and open dialogue are crucial to ensuring public confidence in the democratic process and moving forward constructively.