Loyalists of Pakistan's Jailed Ex-PM Khan Emerge Frontrunners in Contentious Election

Police stand guard at the provincial election commission as supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, gather demanding free and fair results a day after general elections in Karachi, Pakistan, Feb. 9, 2024. Supporters of Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif cheer as they gather at the party office of Pakistan Muslim League, at Model Town in Lahore, Pakistan, Feb. 9, 2024. A television crew prepares in front of of a screen showing the results of country's parliamentary elections at Pakistan Election Commission headquarters, in Islamabad, Feb. 9, 2024. People read a morning newspaper reporting the early results of parliamentary elections at a stall in Peshawar, Pakistan, Feb. 9, 2024.

Preliminary official results of Pakistan’s parliamentary polls trickled in Friday after an unusually long delay and allegations the results are being manipulated to favor military-backed parties.