ISLAMABAD: A Commonwealth team led by former Nigerian president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan will observe all aspects of the electoral process, from the opening of polling stations to the announcement of results, for the upcoming general elections in Pakistan, the group said on Saturday. 

The Commonwealth is a political association of over 50 countries, most of which were former territories of the British Empire. The Commonwealth says it seeks to promote shared values of democracy, human rights, development and rule of law.

Pakistan, which is being run by a caretaker government under Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, is scheduled to hold national polls on Feb. 8. The South Asian country’s information minister last week confirmed 81 foreign journalists and 38 international observers have sent visa requests to observe the upcoming election.

“A Commonwealth team, led by former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, will be deployed to Pakistan to observe the general elections scheduled for 8 February 2024,” the group said in a statement. 

The statement said that the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) is due to arrive in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Feb. 1 and would remain in the country until the electoral process is completed. It added that the group has been invited by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the country’s foreign ministry.

“On election day, members of the COG will observe and consider all aspects of the election process across Pakistan from the opening of polling stations and the voting process to the counting of ballots and announcement of results,” the statement said. 

The team comprises multidisciplinary experts from across the Commonwealth and would offer an “independent and comprehensive assessment of the electoral process,” the group said. 

“I applaud Pakistan’s commitment to transparency and accountability,” Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth group’s secretary-general, said in a statement. “The Commonwealth is pleased to support Pakistan’s democratic journey. We look forward to peaceful and fair elections.”

Scotland said the observers would assess the conduct of the electoral process “as a whole” and provide recommendations to further strengthen the electoral system.

She urged all stakeholders in Pakistan, including political parties and their supporters, to contribute to a peaceful election.

The group said it would hold a press conference and issue an interim statement with its preliminary findings following election day.
 
“A final report, which will include recommendations to help improve future electoral processes, will be presented to the government of Pakistan and the Election Commission,” the group said. “The report will also be shared with other stakeholders.”