Election shock: Democrats Panel claims secretary seat amid vote-count delay

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 13 March 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Counting of 2,200 votes at the National Press Club in Islamabad ran into the next day, delaying major results and prompting transparency concerns; Dr. Furqan Rao of the Democrats Panel won the secretary's seat, defeating Khalid Mahmood.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Counting of votes in the National Press Club Islamabad’s annual elections on Thursday stretched into Friday morning, prompting concern among journalists after major seats remained undecided long after polls closed. Candidates and members questioned the prolonged delay in tallying roughly 2,200 votes, reflecting dissatisfaction with the club’s electoral process.

Despite the long wait, the result for the secretary’s seat was declared, with Dr. Furqan Rao (pictured) of the Democrats Panel winning with 1,025 votes against Khalid Mahmood’s 998, marking a significant upset to the Journalist Panel, which has dominated Press Club politics for nearly two decades.

Electoral delay raises transparency concerns

Polling continued from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., after which counting began. Even after almost 14 hours, results for the president and other seats had not been announced. Journalists and candidates described the situation as unusually slow. Social media posts highlighted confusion over interim results and a lack of communication from election officials.

“We have been at the Press Club since before sehri. At first, results kept coming in, then the Democrats Panel won the seat for Secretary. Since then, counting has been going on for the Joint Secretary seat—it's been almost four hours, but no result has come. Counting for the President’s seat has not even started yet. This is extremely surprising,” said Asad Chaudhary, whose X handle says he is a student of journalism.

Internal frustrations spark wider debate

Several contestants and journalists questioned whether administrative inefficiency or procedural gaps were behind the delay. Some suggested the situation undermines confidence in the club’s governance at a time when journalistic integrity and transparency are under public scrutiny. Comparisons were drawn to delays seen in national polls, where extended counting often fuels speculation and debate.

Sabookh Syed noted, “We are journalists who provide results, trends, and analysis of national and provincial elections within a few hours… But if it takes eleven hours to count 2,200 votes in our own organization’s election, concern is natural.”

Urooj Raza Sayyami, contesting a governing body seat, added, “The delay should be considered as fraud.” Journalist Saddia Mazhar said, “Yes, it is concerning now, because first the news of Javeria’s win came, then of her loss, and after that the results stopped coming altogether.”

Even after the secretary seat was declared, tension remained over other positions. Journalist Saqib Bashir commented on the prolonged counting: “One group has been at the National Press Club for twenty years, yet they have not been able to establish a coherent system for elections… 2,200 votes have been cast, and after 13 hours, counting for all seats is still not complete… it’s a strange system.”

The prolonged counting and uncertainty surrounding key positions have cast a spotlight on the National Press Club’s internal processes, prompting calls for clearer election protocols and timely communication. As the journalistic community absorbs the implications of Dr. Furqan Rao’s historic secretary win, members are emphasizing the need for transparent, accountable practices to ensure that even within their own institutions, elections reflect credibility and integrity. The outcome and the delay together may serve as a reminder that procedural clarity is as critical for journalists internally as it is in the national political landscape.

WHY THIS MATTERS: For media professionals in Pakistan, the delayed and opaque handling of results in one of the country’s leading press bodies highlights the importance of clear election protocols, timely communication, and accountability. Journalists managing their own institutions must uphold the same transparency standards they demand in public reporting to maintain professional credibility.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, with additional context from journalists present at the National Press Club, Islamabad, elections on March 12, 2026.