A statement broadcast on military-owned TV on Monday claimed voter lists were “found to have huge discrepancies and the Union Election Commission failed to settle this matter”.

It continued: “Although the sovereignty of the nation must derive from the people, there was terrible fraud in the voter list during the democratic general election which runs contrary to ensuring a stable democracy.

“Unless this problem is resolved, it will obstruct the path to democracy and it must therefore be resolved according to the law.

“Therefore, the state of emergency is declared in accordance with ar