TEHRAN - A few weeks after the general election in Pakistan that was marred by accusations of vote-rigging and manipulation, an independent poll watchdog has made stunning disclosure in a new report.

According to the report by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), a coalition of 30 Pakistan-based non-governmental organisations that observe elections and mobilise voters, about 1.67 million votes were omitted from the count in July 25 general election, more than the number of ballots rejected in 2013 general election.

According to the report, an increase in the number of discarded ballots, recorded at around 11.7 percent, was a phenomenon observed across country’s four provinces and in Islamabad.

Out of almost 100 million registered voters in Pakistan only about 51 per cent exercised their franchise, according to the Pakistan Election Commission.

Around 40 percent increase in the number of rejected votes was observed in Balochistan, 30.6 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 7 percent in Sindh and 6.6 percent in Punjab, said a report by Geo News.

The report also said that the number of votes excluded from the count surpassed the margin of victory in 120 (21 percent) of the 570 provincial assembly constituencies where polls were conducted.

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI), which emerged as the single largest party in general election, is expected to form the government with the help of some smaller parties later this week.