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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox election
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1997 Pakistani general election
| country = Pakistan
| country = Pakistan
| type = parliamentary
| type = parliamentary
| previous_election = 1993 Pakistani general election
| previous_election = 1993 Pakistani general election
| previous_year = 1993
| previous_year = 1993
| previous_mps =
| election_date = {{Start date|df=yes|1997|02|03}}
| election_date = {{Start date|df=yes|1997|02|03}}
| elected_mps =
| next_election = 2002 Pakistani general election
| next_election = 2002 Pakistani general election
| next_year = 2002
| next_year = 2002
| seats_for_election = All 217 seats in the [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]]
| next_mps =
| majority_seats = 109
| seats_for_election = 207 of 237 seats in [[National Assembly (Pakistan)|National Assembly]]
| turnout = 35.79% ({{decrease}}4.23pp)
| majority_seats = 104
| image1 = Nawaz Sharif detail, 981203-D-9880W-117.jpg
| opinion_polls =
| turnout = 36.0%{{decrease}} 4.3%
<!-- Pakistan Muslim League (N) -->| image1 = [[File:Nawaz Sharif detail, 981203-D-9880W-117.jpg|144px]]
| leader1 = '''[[Nawaz Sharif]]'''
| leader1 = '''[[Nawaz Sharif]]'''
| party1 = Pakistan Muslim League (N)
| party1 = Pakistan Muslim League (N)
| leader_since1 = 6 October 1993
| leaders_seat1 = [[Constituency NA-204|Lahore]]
| seats_before1 = 73
| seats_before1 = 73
| seats_after1 = '''137'''
| seats_after1 = '''137'''
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 64
| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 64
| popular_vote1 = '''8,751,793'''
| popular_vote1 = '''8,751,793'''
| percentage1 = '''45.9%'''
| percentage1 = '''44.88%'''
| swing1 = {{Increase}} 6.0%
| image2 = Benazir Bhutto.jpg

<!-- Pakistan Peoples Party -->| image2 = [[File:Benazir Bhutto.jpg|137px]]
| leader2 = [[Benazir Bhutto]]
| leader2 = [[Benazir Bhutto]]
| party2 = Pakistan Peoples Party
| party2 = Pakistan Peoples Party
| leader_since2 = 10 January 1984
| leaders_seat2 = [[Constituency NA-207|Larkana]]
| seats_before2 = 89
| seats_before2 = 89
| seats_after2 = 18
| seats_after2 = 18
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}}71
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}}71
| popular_vote2 = 4,152,209
| popular_vote2 = 4,152,209
| percentage2 = 21.8%
| percentage2 = 21.29%
| title = Prime Minister
| swing2 = {{decrease}}16.1%

<!-- bottom -->| title = Prime Minister
| before_election = [[Benazir Bhutto]]
| before_election = [[Benazir Bhutto]]
| before_party = Pakistan Peoples Party
| before_party = Pakistan Peoples Party
Line 49: Line 37:
| map_size =
| map_size =
| map_caption = Map of Pakistan Showing National Assembly Cosntituencies and winning Parties
| map_caption = Map of Pakistan Showing National Assembly Cosntituencies and winning Parties
}}{{Politics of Pakistan}}
}}


General elections were held in [[Pakistan]] on 3 February 1997 to elect the members of [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]]. The elections were a fierce contest between [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] (PPP) led by pre-election [[Prime minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Benazir Bhutto]] and the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]] led by [[Nawaz Sharif]]. Unlike the 1990 elections where Sharif won due to allegations of rigging, this time he benefited from the controversial death of Bhutto's brother [[Murtaza Bhutto|Murtaza]], a populist leader, a worsening [[Economy of Pakistan|economy]], and alleged corruption cases against Bhutto's husband [[Asif Ali Zardari]].
{{Politics of Pakistan}}


The elections took place after the previous PPP government was dismissed by [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Farooq Leghari]] for matters of national security. Bhutto's government suffered with [[financial mismanagement]], [[Corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto|corruption charges]], [[Operation Blue Fox|racial tensions]] in her native [[Sindh Province]], issues with the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|judiciary]], violations of the [[Constitution of Pakistan|constitution]], and intra-party and family feuds. After the PPP government was dismissed, a [[Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan|caretaker government]] was formed under the leadership of [[Malik Meraj Khalid]].
'''General elections''' were held in [[Pakistan]] on 3 February 1997 to elect the members of [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] and the four [[Subdivisions of Pakistan|provincial assemblies]]. The election featured a fierce contest between [[Pakistan Peoples Party|Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)]] led by pre-election [[Prime minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Benazir Bhutto]] and the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]] led by conservative leader [[Nawaz Sharif]]. Nawaz Sharif was highly benefited and aided by the controversial death of populist leader and Benazir's brother [[Murtaza Bhutto]], the worsening [[Economy of Pakistan|economy]] at home, and the alleged curroption cases against Benazir's husband [[Asif Ali Zardari]].


The result was a landslide victory for the PML (N), which received most votes ever won by an opposition party at the time. This was the first time PML-N had won an election without being part of any alliance. Sharif subsequently became Prime Minister for a second non-consecutive term. The PPP meanwhile got wiped out, losing 71 seats and winning only 18 due to Bhutto's increasing unpopularity. Voter turnout was only 36.0%.<ref>[[Dieter Nohlen]], Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) ''Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I'', p680 {{ISBN|0-19-924958-X}}</ref>
The election took place after the previous [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] (PPP) government of [[Benazir Bhutto]] was dismissed by [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Farooq Leghari]] for concerning matters of national security. Benazir Bhutto's government suffered with [[financial mismanagement]], [[Corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto|corruption charges]], [[Operation Blue Fox|racial tensions]] in her [[Sindh Province|native]] province, issues with [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|judiciary]], serious violation of the [[Constitution of Pakistan|constitution]], and intra-party and family feuds.

[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML-N]] won the election in a landslide, receiving the highest number of votes ever won by a party that wasn't currently in government. This was the first time PML-N had won an election without being part of any alliance. Sharif subsequently took oath as the [[Prime minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] for a second non-consecutive term <ref>[[Dieter Nohlen]], Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) ''Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I'', p680 {{ISBN|0-19-924958-X}}</ref>.


==Background==
==Background==


The PPP won the largest number of seats in the [[1993 Pakistani general election|1993 election]] and Benazir Bhutto became prime minister at the head of a [[coalition]] government.<ref name=elections>{{Cite web| url = http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2241_93.htm | title = ELECTIONS HELD IN 1993 | accessdate = 11 November 2008 | publisher = [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]]}}</ref> However, on 5 November 1996, President Leghari, a former ally of Bhutto,<ref name=sharif>{{Cite news| url = http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9702/17/briefs/pakistan/index.html | title = Sharif takes office as Pakistan's prime minister | accessdate = 11 November 2008 | date = 17 February 1997 | publisher = [[CNN]]}}</ref> dismissed the government 2 years early for alleged corruption and abuse of power.<ref name=chamber>{{Cite web| url = http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2241_97.htm | title = ELECTIONS HELD IN 1997 | accessdate = 11 November 2008 | publisher = [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]]}}</ref> The allegations included financial mismanagement, failing to stop police killings, destroying judicial independence and violating the [[Constitution of Pakistan|constitution]].<ref name=fires>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9611/05/pakistan/index.html |title=Pakistan president fires Bhutto, calls new election |accessdate=11 November 2008 |date=5 November 1996 |publisher=[[CNN]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050909081306/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9611/05/pakistan/index.html |archivedate=9 September 2005 }}</ref> A number of PPP party members were detained including Bhutto's husband [[Asif Ali Zardari]] who was accused of taking commissions for arranging official deals.<ref name=fires/>
The PPP won the largest number of seats in the [[1993 Pakistani general election|1993 election]] and Benazir Bhutto became prime minister at the head of a [[coalition]] government.<ref name=elections>{{Cite web| url = http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2241_93.htm | title = ELECTIONS HELD IN 1993 | access-date = 11 November 2008 | publisher = [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]]}}</ref> However, on 5 November 1996, President Leghari, a former ally of Bhutto,<ref name=sharif>{{Cite news| url = http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9702/17/briefs/pakistan/index.html | title = Sharif takes office as Pakistan's prime minister | access-date = 11 November 2008 | date = 17 February 1997 | publisher = [[CNN]]}}</ref> dismissed the government 2 years early for alleged corruption and abuse of power.<ref name=chamber>{{Cite web| url = http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2241_97.htm | title = ELECTIONS HELD IN 1997 | access-date = 11 November 2008 | publisher = [[Inter-Parliamentary Union]]}}</ref> The allegations included financial mismanagement, failing to stop police killings, destroying judicial independence and violating the [[Constitution of Pakistan|constitution]].<ref name=fires>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9611/05/pakistan/index.html |title=Pakistan president fires Bhutto, calls new election |access-date=11 November 2008 |date=5 November 1996 |publisher=[[CNN]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050909081306/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9611/05/pakistan/index.html |archive-date=9 September 2005 }}</ref> A number of PPP party members were detained including Bhutto's husband [[Asif Ali Zardari]] who was accused of taking commissions for arranging official deals.<ref name=fires/>


A former [[Speaker (politics)|speaker]] and member of the PPP [[Miraj Khalid]] was appointed interim prime minister. The National Assembly and provincial assemblies were dissolved and elections called for 3 February 1997.<ref name=fires/> Bhutto denied all the charges against herself and petitioned the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|Supreme Court]] to reverse her dismissal. However, the court ruled in January that there was sufficient evidence for the dismissal to be justified legally.<ref name=upholds>{{Cite news| url = http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/29/pakistan/index.html | title = Pakistani court upholds Bhutto's dismissal | accessdate = 11 November 2008 | date = 29 January 1997 | publisher = [[CNN]]}}</ref>
A former [[Speaker (politics)|speaker]] and member of the PPP [[Miraj Khalid]] was appointed interim prime minister. The National Assembly and provincial assemblies were dissolved and elections called for 3 February 1997.<ref name=fires/> Bhutto denied all the charges against herself and petitioned the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|Supreme Court]] to reverse her dismissal. However, the court ruled in January that there was sufficient evidence for the dismissal to be justified legally.<ref name=upholds>{{Cite news| url = http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9701/29/pakistan/index.html | title = Pakistani court upholds Bhutto's dismissal | access-date = 11 November 2008 | date = 29 January 1997 | publisher = [[CNN]]}}</ref>


==Campaign==
==Campaign==
Expectations in the lead up to the election were that up to 90 people, possibly including Bhutto and Sharif, might be prevented from standing in the election due to the caretaker governments campaign against corruption. However, by the end of December 1996 the government was forced to acknowledge that they were unable to find sufficient evidence to act against leading politicians. As a result, the election once again became mainly a contest between the PPP and the PML-N.<ref name=falters>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E5D81E31F936A15751C1A960958260 | title = Pakistan's Corruption Drive Falters, Creating Political Openings | accessdate = 13 November 2008 | date = 25 December 1996 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref>
Expectations in the lead up to the election were that up to 90 people, possibly including Bhutto and Sharif, might be prevented from standing in the election due to the caretaker governments campaign against corruption. However, by the end of December 1996 the government was forced to acknowledge that they were unable to find sufficient evidence to act against leading politicians. As a result, the election once again became mainly a contest between the PPP and the PML-N.<ref name=falters>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E5D81E31F936A15751C1A960958260 | title = Pakistan's Corruption Drive Falters, Creating Political Openings | access-date = 13 November 2008 | date = 25 December 1996 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref>


Over 6,000 candidates stood in the election, with 1,758 standing for the National Assembly and 4,426 for the four provincial assemblies.<ref name=violence>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9702/03/pakistan.elect/index.html |title=Violence mars voting as Pakistanis trickle to polls |accessdate=13 November 2008 |date=2 February 1997 |publisher=[[CNN]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050409144401/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9702/03/pakistan.elect/index.html |archivedate=9 April 2005 }}</ref> Major campaign issues included corruption, the economy, ethnic and religious conflicts and growing [[terrorism]].<ref name=chamber/> However, there was little enthusiasm for the fourth election in 8 years with polls showing only about 20% would vote.<ref name=emigres>{{cite news | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1997/02/03/1997-02-03_pakistan_vote_grips_emigres.html | title = PAKISTAN VOTE GRIPS EMIGRES | accessdate = 13 November 2008 | date = 3 February 1997 | newspaper = [[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Predictions of a challenge by a new anti-corruption party, the [[Movement for Justice]], founded by former [[cricketer]] [[Imran Khan]], faded as Khan attempted to fend off personal attacks on [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]] and [[Nawaz Sharif]]. Most forecasts expected Sharif's PML-N to win the election, with them drawing larger crowds than the PPP and appearing to be supported by the army.<ref name=ugly>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E6D7103DF930A35751C0A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=3 | title = Is Bhutto Good, Bad or Ugly? Pakistanis Will Decide Today | accessdate = 13 November 2008 | date = 3 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref> [[Opinion poll]]s showed the PML-N leading the PPP by about 40% to 20%.<ref name=upholds/>
Over 6,000 candidates stood in the election, with 1,758 standing for the National Assembly and 4,426 for the four provincial assemblies.<ref name=violence>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9702/03/pakistan.elect/index.html |title=Violence mars voting as Pakistanis trickle to polls |access-date=13 November 2008 |date=2 February 1997 |publisher=[[CNN]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050409144401/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9702/03/pakistan.elect/index.html |archive-date=9 April 2005 }}</ref> Major campaign issues included corruption, the economy, ethnic and religious conflicts and growing [[terrorism]].<ref name=chamber/> However, there was little enthusiasm for the fourth election in 8 years with polls showing only about 20% would vote.<ref name=emigres>{{cite news | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1997/02/03/1997-02-03_pakistan_vote_grips_emigres.html | title = PAKISTAN VOTE GRIPS EMIGRES | access-date = 13 November 2008 | date = 3 February 1997 | newspaper = [[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] }}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Predictions of a challenge by a new anti-corruption party, the [[Movement for Justice]], founded by former [[cricketer]] [[Imran Khan]], faded as Khan attempted to fend off personal attacks on [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]] and [[Nawaz Sharif]]. Most forecasts expected Sharif's PML-N to win the election, with them drawing larger crowds than the PPP and appearing to be supported by the army.<ref name=ugly>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E6D7103DF930A35751C0A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=3 | title = Is Bhutto Good, Bad or Ugly? Pakistanis Will Decide Today | access-date = 13 November 2008 | date = 3 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref> [[Opinion poll]]s showed the PML-N leading the PPP by about 40% to 20%.<ref name=upholds/>


==Results==
==Results==
The results saw the PML-N win a landslide victory, winning by the largest margin since the [[1977 Pakistani general election|1977 election]].<ref name=margin>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E2DE1F3DF936A35751C0A961958260 | title = Muslim Party Gets Huge Margin in Pakistan's Parliament | accessdate = 13 November 2008 | date = 5 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref> Bhutto's PPP was routed, and came second nationally with only 18 seats, and for the first time failing to win any seats in Punjab. Khan's Movement for Justice failed to win any seats.<ref name=margin/> The turnout, at around 36%, was the lowest ever in the history of elections in Pakistan.<ref name=longtime>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E6DB1E3DF937A35751C0A961958260 | title = Benazir Bhutto Loses Badly To Longtime Pakistan Rival | accessdate = 13 November 2008 | date = 4 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref>
The results saw the PML-N win a landslide victory, winning by the largest margin since the [[1977 Pakistani general election|1977 election]].<ref name=margin>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E2DE1F3DF936A35751C0A961958260 | title = Muslim Party Gets Huge Margin in Pakistan's Parliament | access-date = 13 November 2008 | date = 5 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref> Bhutto's PPP was routed, and came second nationally with only 18 seats, and for the first time failing to win any seats in Punjab. Khan's Movement for Justice failed to win any seats.<ref name=margin/> The turnout, at around 36%, was the lowest ever in the history of elections in Pakistan.<ref name=longtime>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E6DB1E3DF937A35751C0A961958260 | title = Benazir Bhutto Loses Badly To Longtime Pakistan Rival | access-date = 13 November 2008 | date = 4 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | first=John F. | last=Burns}}</ref> Voting in three seats was delayed; the subsequently by-elections saw two seats won by the PML(N) and one by the Awami National Party.<ref>Nohlen ''et al.'', pp680–687</ref>


{{Election results
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:right
|party1=[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]|votes1=8751793|seats1=135|sc1=+62
!Parties
|party2=[[Pakistan Peoples Party]]|votes2=4152209|seats2=18|sc2=−71
!Votes
|party3=[[Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London|Muttahida Qaumi Movement]]|votes3=764207|seats3=12|sc3=New
!%
|party4=[[Pakistan Muslim League (J)]]|votes4=624286|seats4=0|sc4=−6
!Seats
|party5=[[Awami National Party]]|votes5=357002|seats5=9|sc5=+6
!+/–
|party6=[[Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto)]]|votes6=377228|seats6=1|sc6=New
|-
|party7=[[Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)]]|votes7=325910|seats7=2|sc7=New
|align=left|[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]||8,751,793||45.9||137||+64
|party8=[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]|votes8=314820|seats8=0|sc8=New
|-
|party9=[[Balochistan National Party (Mengal)|Balochistan National Party]]|votes9=124754|seats9=3|sc9=New
|align=left|[[Pakistan Peoples Party]]||4,152,209||21.8||18||−71
|party10=[[National Peoples Party (Pakistan)|National Peoples Party]] (Khar)|votes10=85121|seats10=1|sc10=0
|-
|party11=[[Baloch National Movement]]|votes11=72354|seats11=0|sc11=New
|align=left|[[Haq Parast]]||764,207||4.0||12||New
|party12=[[Jamhoori Wattan Party]]|votes12=66128|seats12=2|sc12=0
|-
|party13=[[Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party]]|votes13=58552|seats13=0|sc13=–3
|align=left|[[Pakistan Muslim League (J)]]||624,286||3.3||0||−6
|party14=[[Muslim Ittehad Pakistan]]|votes14=49601|seats14=0|sc14=New
|-
|party15=[[Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S)]]|votes15=48838|seats15=0|sc15=New
|align=left|[[Awami National Party]]||357,002||1.9||10||+7
|party16=[[Pakistan Democratic Party]]|votes16=47153|seats16=0|sc16=New
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto)]]||377,228||2.0||1||New
|party17=[[Pakistan Muslim League (Qayyum)]]|votes17=37723|seats17=0|sc17=New
|party18=[[Pakistan Awami Party]]|votes18=31615|seats18=0|sc18=New
|-
|party19=30 other parties|votes19=88429|seats19=0|sc19=–
|align=left|[[Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam]] (F)||325,910||1.7||2||New
|party20=Independents (Muslims)|votes20=2690164|seats20=21|sc20=+5|color20={{party color|Independent}}
|-
|party21=Non-Muslim seats|votes21=432553|seats21=10|sc21=0|color21={{party color|Independent}}
|align=left|[[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]]||314,820||1.7||0||New
|row22=Vacant|seats22=3|sc22=–
|-
|invalid=448829
|align=left|[[Balochistan National Party (Mengal)|Balochistan National Party]]||124,754||0.7||3||New
|electorate=55737177
|-
|total_sc=0
|align=left|[[National Peoples Party (Pakistan)|National Peoples Party]] (Khar)||85,121||0.4||1||0
|source=Nohlen ''et al.''
|-
}}
|align=left|[[Balochistan National Movement]]||72,354||0.4||0||New
|-
|align=left|[[Jamhoori Wattan Party]]||66,128||0.3||2||0
|-
|align=left|[[Muslim Ittehad Pakistan]]||49,601||0.3||0||New
|-
|align=left|[[Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam]] (S)||48,838||0.3||0||New
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Democratic Party]]||47,153||0.2||0||New
|-
|align=left|[[Muslim League (Qayyum)]]||37,723||0.2||0||New
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Awami Party]]||31,615||0.2||0||New
|-
|align=left|30 other parties||88,429||0.5||0||–
|-
|align=left|Independents||1,482,033||7.4||21||+5
|-
|align=left|Invalid/blank votes||448,829||–||–||–
|-
|align=left|'''Total'''||'''19,516,716'''||'''100'''||'''207'''||'''0'''
|-
|align=left colspan=5|Source: Nohlen et al.
|}

===Punjab===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:right
!party
!votes
!%
!seats
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]||7,370,351||59||109
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Peoples Party]]||2,755,268||22||0
|-
|align=left|[[Independent (politician)|Independent]]||1,355,989||11||6
|-
|align=left|others||977,895||8||0
|-
|align=left|'''Total'''||'''12,459,503'''||'''100'''||'''115'''
|}

===Sindh===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:right
!party
!votes
!%
!seats
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Peoples Party]]||1,185,506||32||18
|-
|align=left|[[Muttahida Qaumi Movement|Haq Parast]]||748,821||20||12
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]||694,007||19||9
|-
|align=left|[[Independent politician]]||507,718||14||5
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Peoples Party Shaheed Bhuttto]]||332,470||9||1
|-
|align=left|[[National Peoples Party (Pakistan)|National Peoples Party]]||76,788||2||1
|-
|align=left|others||159,015||1||0
|-
|align=left|'''Total'''||'''3,704,325'''||'''100'''||'''46'''
|}

===KPK===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:right
!party
!votes
!%
!seats
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]||648,904||27||15
|-
|align=left|[[Awami National Party]]||371,722||16||10
|-
|align=left|[[Independent politician]]||825,830||34||9
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Peoples Party]]||189,817||8||0
|-
|align=left|[[Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam Fazal-Ur-Rehman]]||166,077||7||0
|-
|align=left|others||194,866||8||0
|-
|align=left|'''Total'''||'''2,397,216'''||'''100'''||'''34'''
|}

===Balochistan===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:right
!party
!votes
!%
!seats
|-
|align=left|[[Balochistan National Party (Mengal)|Balochistan National Party]]||124,754||18||3
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]||104,664||15||3
|-
|align=left|[[Jamiat-Ulema-e-Islam Fazal-Ur-Rehman]]||86,531||13||2
|-
|align=left|[[Balochistan National Movement]]||72,354||11||0
|-
|align=left|[[Jamhoori Wattan Party]]||65,765||10||2
|-
|align=left|[[Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party]]||56,259||8||0
|-
|align=left|[[Independent politician]]||49,805||7||1
|-
|align=left|[[Pakistan Peoples Party]]||52,090||8||0
|-
|align=left|others||67,308||10||0
|-
|align=left|'''Total'''||'''679,530'''||'''100'''||'''11'''
|}


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
{{further|Second Nawaz Sharif government|Electoral fraud in Pakistan}}
Nawaz Sharif described the results as reflecting the country's desire for an end to chaos.<ref name=margin/> Benazir Bhutto had threatened to not recognise the results if the PPP lost, but despite alleging that election officials had rigged the election by filling in extra ballots, she did not call for protests, saying that Pakistan needed political stability.<ref name=chamber/><ref name=margin/><ref name=longtime/> International observers from the [[European Union]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] said the election met basic conditions but would not describe it as 'free and fair'.<ref name=chamber/>
Nawaz Sharif described the results as reflecting the country's desire for an end to chaos.<ref name=margin/> Benazir Bhutto had threatened to not recognise the results if the PPP lost, but despite alleging that election officials had rigged the election by filling in extra ballots, she did not call for protests, saying that Pakistan needed political stability.<ref name=chamber/><ref name=margin/><ref name=longtime/> International observers from the [[European Union]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] said the election met basic conditions but would not describe it as 'free and fair'.<ref name=chamber/>


===Election for Prime Minister===
Nawaz Sharif was confirmed as prime minister by the National Assembly receiving 177 votes against 16 for the PPP candidate [[Aftab Shaban Mirani]].<ref name=new>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E3DB113FF93BA25751C0A961958260 | title = New Pakistan Prime Minister Takes Office | accessdate = 13 November 2008 | date = 18 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He took office on 18 February with a new cabinet named on 26 February.<ref name=chamber/><ref name=new/>
The election for Prime Minister took place on 17 February 1997. Nawaz Sharif was confirmed as prime minister by the National Assembly receiving 177 votes against 16 for the PPP candidate [[Aftab Shaban Mirani]].<ref name=new>{{cite news| url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E3DB113FF93BA25751C0A961958260 | title = New Pakistan Prime Minister Takes Office | access-date = 13 November 2008 | date = 18 February 1997 | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He took office on 18 February with a new cabinet named on 26 February.<ref name=chamber/><ref name=new/>

{{Election results
|caption=119 votes required
|cand1=[[Nawaz Sharif]]|party1=[[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]|votes1=177
|cand2=[[Aftab Shaban Mirani]]|party2=[[Pakistan Peoples Party]]|votes2=16
}}


==References==
==References==
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{{Pakistani elections}}
{{Pakistani elections}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Pakistani General Election, 1997}}
[[Category:General elections in Pakistan|1997]]
[[Category:General elections in Pakistan|1997]]
[[Category:1997 elections in Pakistan]]
[[Category:1997 elections in Pakistan|general]]
[[Category:February 1997 events in Asia]]
[[Category:1997 elections in Asia|Pakistan]]
[[Category:February 1997 events in Asia|Pakistan]]
[[Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results]]

Revision as of 05:43, 28 August 2024

1997 Pakistani general election
← 1993 3 February 1997 (1997-02-03) 2002 →
All 217 seats in the National Assembly
109 seats needed for a majority
Turnout35.79% (Decrease4.23pp)
  First party Second party
 
Leader Nawaz Sharif Benazir Bhutto
Party PML(N) PPP
Seats before 73 89
Seats after 137 18
Seat change Increase 64 Decrease71
Popular vote 8,751,793 4,152,209
Percentage 44.88% 21.29%
Map of Pakistan Showing National Assembly Cosntituencies and winning Parties
Prime Minister before election

Benazir Bhutto
PPP

Elected Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif
PML(N)

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flag Pakistan portal

General elections were held in Pakistan on 3 February 1997 to elect the members of National Assembly. The elections were a fierce contest between Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by pre-election Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) led by Nawaz Sharif. Unlike the 1990 elections where Sharif won due to allegations of rigging, this time he benefited from the controversial death of Bhutto's brother Murtaza, a populist leader, a worsening economy, and alleged corruption cases against Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari.

The elections took place after the previous PPP government was dismissed by President Farooq Leghari for matters of national security. Bhutto's government suffered with financial mismanagement, corruption charges, racial tensions in her native Sindh Province, issues with the judiciary, violations of the constitution, and intra-party and family feuds. After the PPP government was dismissed, a caretaker government was formed under the leadership of Malik Meraj Khalid.

The result was a landslide victory for the PML (N), which received most votes ever won by an opposition party at the time. This was the first time PML-N had won an election without being part of any alliance. Sharif subsequently became Prime Minister for a second non-consecutive term. The PPP meanwhile got wiped out, losing 71 seats and winning only 18 due to Bhutto's increasing unpopularity. Voter turnout was only 36.0%.[1]

Background

The PPP won the largest number of seats in the 1993 election and Benazir Bhutto became prime minister at the head of a coalition government.[2] However, on 5 November 1996, President Leghari, a former ally of Bhutto,[3] dismissed the government 2 years early for alleged corruption and abuse of power.[4] The allegations included financial mismanagement, failing to stop police killings, destroying judicial independence and violating the constitution.[5] A number of PPP party members were detained including Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari who was accused of taking commissions for arranging official deals.[5]

A former speaker and member of the PPP Miraj Khalid was appointed interim prime minister. The National Assembly and provincial assemblies were dissolved and elections called for 3 February 1997.[5] Bhutto denied all the charges against herself and petitioned the Supreme Court to reverse her dismissal. However, the court ruled in January that there was sufficient evidence for the dismissal to be justified legally.[6]

Campaign

Expectations in the lead up to the election were that up to 90 people, possibly including Bhutto and Sharif, might be prevented from standing in the election due to the caretaker governments campaign against corruption. However, by the end of December 1996 the government was forced to acknowledge that they were unable to find sufficient evidence to act against leading politicians. As a result, the election once again became mainly a contest between the PPP and the PML-N.[7]

Over 6,000 candidates stood in the election, with 1,758 standing for the National Assembly and 4,426 for the four provincial assemblies.[8] Major campaign issues included corruption, the economy, ethnic and religious conflicts and growing terrorism.[4] However, there was little enthusiasm for the fourth election in 8 years with polls showing only about 20% would vote.[9] Predictions of a challenge by a new anti-corruption party, the Movement for Justice, founded by former cricketer Imran Khan, faded as Khan attempted to fend off personal attacks on PML(N) and Nawaz Sharif. Most forecasts expected Sharif's PML-N to win the election, with them drawing larger crowds than the PPP and appearing to be supported by the army.[10] Opinion polls showed the PML-N leading the PPP by about 40% to 20%.[6]

Results

The results saw the PML-N win a landslide victory, winning by the largest margin since the 1977 election.[11] Bhutto's PPP was routed, and came second nationally with only 18 seats, and for the first time failing to win any seats in Punjab. Khan's Movement for Justice failed to win any seats.[11] The turnout, at around 36%, was the lowest ever in the history of elections in Pakistan.[12] Voting in three seats was delayed; the subsequently by-elections saw two seats won by the PML(N) and one by the Awami National Party.[13]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Pakistan Muslim League (N)8,751,79344.88135+62
Pakistan Peoples Party4,152,20921.2918−71
Muttahida Qaumi Movement764,2073.9212New
Pakistan Muslim League (J)624,2863.200−6
Awami National Party357,0021.839+6
Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto)377,2281.931New
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)325,9101.672New
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf314,8201.610New
Balochistan National Party124,7540.643New
National Peoples Party (Khar)85,1210.4410
Baloch National Movement72,3540.370New
Jamhoori Wattan Party66,1280.3420
Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party58,5520.300–3
Muslim Ittehad Pakistan49,6010.250New
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S)48,8380.250New
Pakistan Democratic Party47,1530.240New
Pakistan Muslim League (Qayyum)37,7230.190New
Pakistan Awami Party31,6150.160New
30 other parties88,4290.450–
Independents (Muslims)2,690,16413.8021+5
Non-Muslim seats432,5532.22100
Vacant3–
Total19,500,440100.002170
Valid votes19,500,44097.75
Invalid/blank votes448,8292.25
Total votes19,949,269100.00
Registered voters/turnout55,737,17735.79
Source: Nohlen et al.

Aftermath

Further information: Second Nawaz Sharif government and Electoral fraud in Pakistan

Nawaz Sharif described the results as reflecting the country's desire for an end to chaos.[11] Benazir Bhutto had threatened to not recognise the results if the PPP lost, but despite alleging that election officials had rigged the election by filling in extra ballots, she did not call for protests, saying that Pakistan needed political stability.[4][11][12] International observers from the European Union and the Commonwealth of Nations said the election met basic conditions but would not describe it as 'free and fair'.[4]

Election for Prime Minister

The election for Prime Minister took place on 17 February 1997. Nawaz Sharif was confirmed as prime minister by the National Assembly receiving 177 votes against 16 for the PPP candidate Aftab Shaban Mirani.[14] He took office on 18 February with a new cabinet named on 26 February.[4][14]

119 votes required
CandidatePartyVotes%
Nawaz SharifPakistan Muslim League (N)17791.71
Aftab Shaban MiraniPakistan Peoples Party168.29
Total193100.00

References

  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I, p680 ISBN 0-19-924958-X
  2. ^ "ELECTIONS HELD IN 1993". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  3. ^ "Sharif takes office as Pakistan's prime minister". CNN. 17 February 1997. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e "ELECTIONS HELD IN 1997". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  5. ^ a b c "Pakistan president fires Bhutto, calls new election". CNN. 5 November 1996. Archived from the original on 9 September 2005. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  6. ^ a b "Pakistani court upholds Bhutto's dismissal". CNN. 29 January 1997. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  7. ^ Burns, John F. (25 December 1996). "Pakistan's Corruption Drive Falters, Creating Political Openings". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  8. ^ "Violence mars voting as Pakistanis trickle to polls". CNN. 2 February 1997. Archived from the original on 9 April 2005. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  9. ^ "PAKISTAN VOTE GRIPS EMIGRES". Daily News. 3 February 1997. Retrieved 13 November 2008.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Burns, John F. (3 February 1997). "Is Bhutto Good, Bad or Ugly? Pakistanis Will Decide Today". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d Burns, John F. (5 February 1997). "Muslim Party Gets Huge Margin in Pakistan's Parliament". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  12. ^ a b Burns, John F. (4 February 1997). "Benazir Bhutto Loses Badly To Longtime Pakistan Rival". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  13. ^ Nohlen et al., pp680–687
  14. ^ a b "New Pakistan Prime Minister Takes Office". The New York Times. 18 February 1997. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
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