PPP's Asif Ali Zardari elected President of Pakistan for second time

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has been elected the 14th President of Pakistan, according to the unofficial results.

Zardari, who was the joint candidate of PML-N, MQM-P, and other parties, was contesting against the Sunni Ittehad Council-backed Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

A total of 1,042 voters participated in the presidential polls held simultaneously at the Parliament House and the four provincial assembles today (March 9).

Asif Zardari received 716 electoral votes, while Mahmood Achakzai got 319, according to the unannounced results.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's father also became the first politician to be elected as the president for the second time.

Ruling alliance joint candidate Zardari bagged 255 electoral votes in parliament, comprising the National Assembly and Senate, in the presidential election. While PTI-backed SIC candidate Mahmood Achakzai secured 119 votes. 

Overall 375 lawmakers cast ballots in favour of their candidates as only 1 vote was rejected in parliament.

In the Punjab Assembly, Zardari clinched 246 votes, while Achakzai got 100 votes. Almost 352 MPAs exercised their right to the franchise, while six votes were rejected by the presiding. 

The PkMap chief led the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly with 90 votes, however, the PPPP president managed to get only 17 votes in the provincial legislature.

As many as 109 KP lawmakers out of a total of 118 cast ballots while one vote was rejected.

In the Balochistan Assembly, Achakzai faced a setback as he couldn't secure a single vote in the provincial legislature. While Zardari clinched the BA with 47 electoral votes.

In his strong-hold Sindh Assembly, Benazir Bhutto's husband got 151 votes, while Achakzai bagged 9 votes.

However, the final results would be announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

A day earlier, Outgoing President Arif Alvi was given a farewell guard of honour at President's House in Islamabad. The contingents of the armed forces presented a salute to him.

Later, he also shook hands with the officers and staffers of the Aiwan-e-Sadar.

President-elect Zardari will take the oath of office on March 10 (Sunday), which will be administered by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faiz Isa.