PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) nominee Sohail Afridi has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, securing 90 votes in a tense session of the provincial assembly, replacing outgoing CM Ali Amin Gandapur.

The election, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, was held amid ongoing confusion over the status of Gandapur’s resignation, which has yet to be officially accepted due to disputed signatures.

Both Gandapur and Afridi were present in the assembly, where they were met with chants and applause from government benches. Gandapur congratulated Afridi, pledging full support and calling his election a continuation of the democratic process.

However, controversy clouded the proceedings as KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi earlier rejected both resignation letters submitted by Gandapur — dated October 8 and 11 — citing “disparate and unalike signatures.” He summoned Gandapur to the Governor House on October 15 for verification.

Despite this, Gandapur asserted that both letters carried his authentic signature and said the October 8 resignation has now been officially acknowledged by the Governor.

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Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah questioned the legality of the new CM’s election, arguing that without formal acceptance of Gandapur’s resignation, the process violated constitutional norms. He led a walkout, calling the move “unconstitutional” and refusing to endorse the proceedings.

Speaker Swati defended the election process, stating it adhered to constitutional and legal requirements and that all parties were invited to participate. He hinted at political motivations behind the opposition’s walkout.

JUI-F’s Maulana Lutfur Rehman, another candidate for the chief minister’s office, has signaled potential legal action, further indicating that the matter may be contested in court in the coming days.